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PARADISE LOST 



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See bookl page-XXm 



KEW-YORK. CHARLES WELl.S , 
36 Gold Stieiu 



^1 



MILTON'S 



POETICAL WORKS, 



CONSISTING OF PARADISE LOST, PARADISE 
REGAINED, MASK OF COMUS, SAMSON 
AGONISTES, AND POEMS ON SE- 
VERAL OCCASIONS, 
&c. &c. 

TOGETHER WITH 
THE LIFE OF THE AUTHOR, 



COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME. 

NEW-YORK: 
PUBLISHED BY CHARLES WELLS, 



^^'$^ 



Transfer 
■nglrieers School Ultfu 

June 29, x»3i 



PiEBcy & Reed, Printers, 9, Spruce-st., N. Y. 



CONTENTS 

OF 
PARADISE LOST, 



LiFF OF Milton, 5 

The Verse, 11 

Book I 15 

Book II, '. 39 

Book III, ^ 69 

Book IV, 91 

Book V, 121 

Book VI, 147 

Book VII, 173 

Book VIII, 193 

Book IX, 213 

Book X, 247 

Book XI, 279 

Book XII, 805 



THE LIFE 



OP 



JOHN MILTON. 



From a family and town of his name in Oxfordshire, our au- 
thor derived his descent : but he was born at London, in the year 
1608. His father, John Milton, by profession a scrivener, lived 
in a reputable manner on a competent estate, entirely his own 
acquisition, havjig been early disinherited by his parents for re- 
nouncing the communion of the church of Rome, to which they 
were zealously devoted. 

Our author was the favourite of his father's hopes, who, to cul- 
tivate the great genius which early displayed itseltj was at the 
expense of a domestic tutor, whose care and capacity his pupil 
hath gratefully celebrated in an excellent Latin elegy. At his 
initiation he is said to have applied himself to letters with such 
indefatigable industry, that he rarely was prevailed upon to quit 
his studies before midnight; which not only made him frequently 
subject to severe pains in his head, but likewise occasioned that 
weakness in his eyes, which terminated in a total privation of sight. 
From a domestic education he was removed to St. Paul's school, 
to complete his acquaintance with the classics, under the care o 
Dr. Gill ; and, after a short stay there, was transplanted to 
Christ's College, in Cambridge, where he distinguished himself in 
all kinds of academical exercises. Of this society he continued a 
member till he commenced master of arts ; and then, leaving tho 
university, he returned to his father, who had quitted the town, 
and lived at Horton, in Buckinghamshire, where he pursued liis 
studies with unparalleled assiduity and success. 

After some years spent in this studious retirement, his mother 
died, and then he prevailed with his father to gratify an inclinr.tion 
1* 



THE LIFE OF 

he had long entertained of seeing foreign countries. Sir Henry 
Wotton, at that time provost of Eton College, gave him a letter of 
advice for the direction of his travels. Having employed his cu- 
riosity about two years in France and Italy, on the news of a civil 
war breaking out in England, he returned, without taking a sur- 
vey of Greece and Sicily, as at his setting out the scheme was pro- 
jected. At Paris the lord viscount Scudamore, ambassador from 
king Charles I, at the court of France, introduced him to the ac- 
quaintance of Grotius, who at that time was honoured with the 
same character there by Christiana, queen of Sweden. In Rome, 
Genoa, Florence, and other cities of Italy, he contracted a fami- 
liarity with those who were of highest reputation for wit and 
learning, several of whom gave him very obhging testimonies of 
their friendship and esteem. 

Returning from his travels, he found England on the point of 
being involved in blood and confusion. He retired to lodgings 
provided for him in the cit}' ; which being commodious for the re- 
ception of his sister's sons, and some other young gentlemen, he 
undertook their education. 

In this philosophical course he continued, without a wife till 
the year 1643, when he married Mary, the daughter of Richard 
Powell, of Forest-Hill in Oxfordshire, a gentleman of estate and 
reputation in that county, and of principles so very opposite to his 
son-in-law, that the marriage is more to be wondered at than the 
separation which ensued, in little more than a month after she 
had cohabited with him in London. Her desertion provoked hira 
both to write several treatises concerning the doctrine and disci- 
pline of divorce, and also to pay his addresses to a young lady of 
great wit and beauty ; but, before he had engaged her affections 
to conclude the marriage treaty, in a visit at one of his relations, 
he found his wife prostrate before him, imploring forgiveness and 
seconciUation. It is not to be doubted but an interview of that na- 
ture, so little expected, must wonderfully affect .him ; and perhaps 
the impressions it made on his imagination, contributed much to 
the painting of that pathetic scene in Paradise Lost* in which 
Eve addresseth herself to Adam for pardon and peace. At the rn- 
lercession of his friends who were present, after a short reluctance, 
he generously sacrificed all his resentment to her tears : 

soon his heart relented 



Towards her, his life so late and sole delight 
Now at his feet submissive in distress. 

And after this reunion, so far was he from retaining any unkind 
memory of the provocations which he had received from her ill 
conduct, that when the king's cause was entirely suppressed, and 
her father, who had been active in his loyalty, was exposed to sc- 



* Book X, page 171. 



THE LIFE OP 7 

questration, Milton received both him and his family to protection, 
and free entertainment, in his own house, till their affairs were ac- 
commodated by his interest in the victorious faction. 

A commission to constitute him adjutant general to sir William 
Waller was promised, but soon superceded, by Waller's being laid 
aside, when his masters thought it proper to new model their army. 
However, the keenness of his pen had so effectually recommended 
im to Cromwell's esteem, that, when he took the reins of gov- 
rnment into his own hand, he advanced him to be Latin sec- 
retary, both to himself and the parliament ; the former of these 
preferments he enjoyed both under the usurper and his son, the 
other until king Charles II was restored. For some time he had 
an apartment for his family at Whitehall : but his health requir- 
ing a freer accession of air, he was obliged to remove from thence 
to lodgings which opened into St. James' Park. Not long after his 
settlement there, his wife died in childbed ; and much about the 
time of her death, a guttaserena, which had for several years been 
gradually increasing, totally extinguished his sight. In this mel- 
ancholy condition, he was easily prevailed with to think of taking 
another wife, who was Catharine, the daughter of captain Wood- 
cock, of Hackney ; and she too, in less than a year after their mar- 
riage, died in the same unfortunate manner as the former had 
done ; and in his twenty-third sonnet he does honour to her 
memory. 

Being a second time a widower, he employed his friend Dr. 
Paget to make choice of a third consort, on whose recommendation 
he married Elizabeth, the daughter of Mr. Minshul, a Cheshire 
gentleman, by whom he had no issue. Three daughters, by his 
first wife, were then living ; the two elder of whom are said to have 
been very serviceable to him in his studies ; for having been in- 
structed to pronounce not only the modern, but also the Latin, 
Greek, and Hebrew languages, they read in their respective origi 
nals, whatever authors he wanted to consult, though they under- 
stood none but their mother tongue. 

We come now to take a survey of him in that point of view, in 
which he will be looked upon by all succeeding ages with equal 
delight and admiration. An interval of about twenty years had 
elapsed since he wrote the Mask of Gomus, L' Allegro, II Pense 
roso, and Lycidas, all in such an exquisite strain, that though he 
had left no other monuments of his genius behind him, his name 
had been immortal ; but neither the infirmities of age and constitu- 
tion, nor the vicissitudes of fortune, could depress the vigour of his 
mind, or divert it from executing a design he had long conceived of 
writing an heroic poem.* The fall of man was a subject that he 
had some years before fixed on for a tragedy, which he intended to 
form by the models of antiquity ; and some, not without probability 
say, the play opened with that speech in the fourth book of Para- 



♦ Paradise Lost, Book IX, pao;e 213. 



8 JOHN MILTOT^. 

dise Lost, 1. 33, which is addressed by satan to the sun. Were it 
material, I believe I could produce other passages, which more 
plainly appear to have been originally intended for the scene : but 
whatever truth there may be in this report, it is certain, that 
he did not begin to mould his subject, m the form which it bears 
now, before he had concluded his controversy \^ith Salmasius, and 
More, when he had wholly lost the use of his eyes, and was forced 
to employ, in the office of an amanuensis, any friend who acciden- 
tally paid him a visit. Yet under all these discouragements, and 
various interruptions, in the year 1669, he_ published his Paradise 
Lost, the noblest poem (next to those of Homer and Virgil) that 
ever the wit of man produced in any age or nation. Need I men- 
tion any other evidence of its inestimable worth, than that the 
finest geniuses who have succeeded him, have ever esteemed it a 
merit, to relish and illustrate its beauties'] 

And now, perhaps, it may pass for a fiction, what witn great 
veracity I affirm to be fact, that Milton, after -having with much 
difficulty prevailed to have this divine poem licensed for the press, 
could sell the copy for no more than fifteen pounds: the payment 
of which valuable consideration depended upon the sa e ot tiiree 
numerous impressions. So unreasonably may personal prejudice 
affect the most excellent performances ! . ^ i . 

About two Years after, he published Paradise Regained: but 

Oh, what a failing of ims there ! of which I will say no move, 

than that there is scarcely a more remarkable instance ot the trail- 
ty of human reason than our author gave, in preterring this poem 
to Paradise Lost. , . 

And thus ha\-ing attended ham to the sixty-sixth year of his age, 
as closely as such imperfect lights as men of letters and returement 
usually leave to guide our inquiry would allow, it now only remains 
to be recorded, that, in the year 1674, the gout put a period to his 
life at Bunhill, near London ; from whence his body was conveyed 
to St. Giles' church, by Cripplegate, where it lies interred m the 
chancel, and a neat monument has lately been erected to perpetuate 

his memory. , i i ^t 

In his youth he is said to have been extremely handsome ; the 
colour of his hair was a fight brown, the symmetry of his teatures 
exact, enlivened with an agreeable air, and a bcautitul mixture ot 
fair and ruddy. His stature, (as we find it measured by _ himself) 
did not exceed the middle size, neither too lean nor corpuient; his 
limbs well proportioned, nervous and acUvc, serviceable in all ro 
spects to his exercising the sword, in which he much delighted 
and wanted neither skill nor courage to resent an affront from men 
of the most athletic constitutions. In his diet he was abstemious ; 
not delicate in the choice of his dishes ; and strong liquors ot all 
kinds were his aversion. His deportment was erect, open, atlable ; 
his conversation easy, cheerful, instructive ; his wit on all occasions 
at command, facetious, grave, or satirical, as the subject required. 
His judgment, when disengaged from religious and politica specu- 
lations, was just and penetrating, his apprehension quick, lus me- 



THE LIFE OF, &C. 9 

mory tenacious of what he read, his reading only not so extensive 
as his genius, for that was universal. And having treasured up 
such immense store of science, perhaps the faculties of his soul 
jjrew more vigorous after he was deprived of sight : and his imagi- 
/5ation, (naturally sublime and enlarged by reading romances, of 
which he was much enamoured in his youth,) when it was wholly 
abstracted from material objects, was more at liberty to make sue 
amazing excursions into the ideal world, when in composing h* 
divine work he was tempted to range, 

Beyond the visible diurnal sphere. 

"With so many accomplishments, not to have had some faults and 
misfortunes to be laid in the balance, with the fame and felicity of 
writing Paradise Lostf would have been too great a portion for 
humanity. 

ELIJAH FENTON. 



THE VERSE 



The measure is English heroic verse without rhyme, as that oi 
Homer in Greek, and of Virgil in Latin ; rhj^me being no neces- 
sary adjunct or true ornament of poem or good verse, in longer 
works especially, but the invention of a barbarous age, to set oft 
wretched matter, and lame metre ; graced, indeed, since, by the use 
of some famous modern poets, carried away by custom, but much to 
their own vexation, hinderance, and constraint, to express many 
tilings otherwise, and for the most part worse than else they would 
have expressed them. Not without cause, therefore, some, both 
Italian and Spanish poets, of prime note, have rejected rhyme, both 
in longer and shorter works, as have also long since our best En- 
glish tragedies, as a thing of itself, to all judicious ears, trivial and 
of no true musical delight ; which consists only in apt numbers, St 
quantity of syllables, and the sense variously drawn out from one 
verse into another, not in the jingling sound of like endings, a fault 
avoided by the learned ancients, both in poetry and all good oratory. 
This neglect then of rhyme so httle is to be taken for a defect, 
though it may seem so perhaps to vulgar readers, that it is rather 
to be esteemed an example set, the first in English, of ancient liberty 
recovered to heroic poem, from the troublesome and modem bondage 
of rhyming. 



THE 

FIRST BOOK 

OP 

PARADISE LOST. 



THE ARGUMENT. 



Tins first book proposes, first in brief, the whole subject, Man's 
disobedience, and the loss thereupon of Paradise wherein he waa 
placed : Then touches the prime cause of his fall, the Serpent, 
or rather Satan in the serpent ; who revolting from God, and 
drawing to his side many legions of Angels, was by the com- 
mand of God driven out of Heaven with all his crew into the 
great deep. Which action passed, over, the poem hastens into 
the midst of things, presentmg Satan with his angels now fall- 
ing into Hell described here, not in the centre (for Heaven and 
Earth may be supposed as yet not made, certainly not yet ac- 
cursed,) but in a place of utter darkness, fitliest called Chaos : 
Here Satan with his Angels lying on the burning lake, thun- 
derstruck and astonished, after a certain space recovers, as from 
confusion, calls up him who next in order and dignity lay by 
him ; they confer of their miserable fall, Satan awakens all his 
legions, who lay till then in the same manner confoundcil. They 
rise, their numbers, array of battle, their chief leaders named, 
according to the idols known afterwards in Canaan and the 
countries adjoining. To these Satan directs his speech, comforts 
them with hope yet of regaining Heaven, but tells them lastly of 
a new world and new kind of creature to be created, according 
to an ancient prophecy, or report in Heaven ; for that Angels 
were long before this visible creation, was the opinion of many 
Ancient Fathers. To find out the truth of this prophecy, and 
what to determine thereon, he refers to a full council. What his 
associates thence attempt. Pandemonium, the palace of Satan 
rises, suddenly built out of the deep : The infernal peers thert 
sit in council. 



PARADISE LOST. 



BOOK I. 

Of man's first disobedience, and the fruit 
Of that forbidden tree, whose mortal taste 
Brought death into the world, and all our wo, 
With loss of Eden, till one greater Man 
Restore us, and regain the blissful seat. 
Sing, heav'nly Muse, that on th*^ sacred top 
Of Oreb, or of Sinai, didst inspire 
That Shepherd,=^ who first taught the chosen seedy 
In the beginning, how the heav'ns and earth 
Rose out of chaos : or if Sion hill 
Delight thee more, and Siloa's brook, that flow*d 
Fast by the oracle of God ; I thence 
Invoke thy aid to my advent'rous song, 
That with no middle flight intends to soar 
Above th' Aonian mount, while it pursues 
Things unattempted yet, in prose or rhyme. 
And chiefly Thou, Spirit, that dost prefer 
Before all temples th' upright heart and pure, 
Instruct me, for thou know'st ; Thou from the first 
Wast present, and with mighty wings outspread, 
Dove-like sat'st brooding on the vast abyss, 
And mad'st it pregnant : what in me is dark, 
Illumine ; what is low raise and support ; 
That to the height of this great argument 

* " That Shepherd," Moses, who kept the flock of Jethrp* 



16 PARADISE LOST^ [bOOK 1. 

I may assert eternal providence, 
And justify the ways of God to men* 

Say first, for heav'n hides nothing from thy view, 
Nor the deep tract of hell ; say first, virhat cause 
Mov'd our grand parents, in that happy state, 
Favour'd of heav'n so highly, to fall off 
From their Creator, and transgress his will 
For one restraint, lords of the world besides ? 
Who first seduc'd them to that foul revolt ? 
Th' infernal serpent ; he it was, whose guile, 
Stirr'd up with envy and revenge, deceived 
The mother of mankind, what time his pride 
Had cast him out from Heaven, with all his host 
Of rebel angels : by whose aid, aspiring 
To set himself in glory, above his peers. 
He trusted to have equalPd the Most High, 
If he oppos'd; and, with ambitious aim 
Against the throne and monarchy of God, 
Rais'd impious war in heav'n, and battle proud, 
With vain attempt. Him the almighty power 
Hurl'd headlong flaming from th' ethereal sky, 
With hideous ruin and combustion, down 
To bottomless perdition, there to dwell 
In adamantine chains and penal fire. 
Who durst defy th' Omnipotent to arms. 
Nine times the space that measures day and night 
To mortal men, he with his horrid crew 
Lay vanquish'd, rolling in the fiery gulf. 
Confounded, though immortal : but his doom 
Reserv'd him to more wrath ; for now the thought 
Both of lost happiness, and lasting pain. 
Torments him ; round he throws his baleful eyes, 
That witness'd huge affliction and dismay, 
Mix'd with obdurate pride and steadfast hate : 
At once, as far as angels ken, he views 
The dismal situation waste and wild ; 
A dungeon horrible on all sides round. 
As one great furnace flam'd ; yet from those flamc» 
No light, but rather darkness visible 



BOOK 1.] PARADISE LOST. 17 

Serv'd only to discover sights of wo, 

Regions of sorrow, doleful shades, where peace 

And rest can never dwell, hope never comes 

That comes to all ; but torture without end 

Still urges, and a fiery delage, fed 

With ever-burning sulphur unconsum'd : 

Such place eternal justice had prepar'd 

For those rebellious ; here their pris'n ordain'd 

In utter darkness, and their portion set 

As far remov'd from God and light of heav'n, 

As from the centre thrice to th' utmost pole. 

O how unlike the place from whence they fell ! 

There the companions of his fall, o'erwhelm'd 

With floods and whirlwinds of tempestuous fire, 

He soon discerns ; and welt'ring by his side 

One next himself in pow'r, and next in crime, 

Long after known in Palestine, and nam'd 

Beelzebub. To whom th' arch-enemy. 

And thence in heav'n called Satan, with bold words 

Breaking the horrid silence, thus began : 

If thou beest he ; but O how fali'n ! how chang'd 
From him, who, in the happy realms of light, 
•Cloth'd with transcendent brightness, didst outshine 
Myriads though bright ! If he whom mutual league, 
United thoughts and counsels, equal hope 
And hazard in the glorious enterprise 
Join'd with me once, now misery hath join'd 
In equal ruin ! Into what pit thou seest. 
From what height fali'n ; so much the stronger prov'd 
He with his thunder : and till then who knew 
The force of those dire arms ? yet not for those, 
Nor what the potent victor in his rage 
Can else inflict, do I repent or change. 
Though chang'd in outward lustre, that fix'd mind, 
And high disdain from sense of injur 'd merit. 
That with the mightiest rais'd me to contend, 
And to the fierce contention brought along 
Innumerable force of spirits arm'd, 
That durst dislike his reig-n, and, me preferring, 
2* 



18 PARADISE LOST. [boOK t. 

His Utmost pow'r with adverse pow'r opposed 

In dubious battle on the plains of heav'n, 

And shook his throne. What though the field be lost ? 

All is not lost : th' unconquerable will, 

And study of revenge, immortal hate, 

And courage never to submit or yield, 

And what is else not to be overcome ; 

That glory never shall his wrath or might 

Extort from me. To bow and sue for grace 

With suppliant knee, and deify his power, 

Who from the terror of this arm so late 

Doubted his empire ; that were low indeed, 

That were an ingnominy, and shame beneath 

This downfal ; since, by fate, the strength of gods 

And this empyreal substance cannot fail ; 

Since, through experience of this great event. 

In arms not worse, in foresight much advanc'd, 

We may with more successful hope, resolve 

To wage, by force or guile, eternal war, 

Irreconcileable to our grand foe. 

Who now triumphs, and, in th' excess of joy 

Sole reigning, holds the tyranny of heaven.' 

So spake th' apostate angel, though in pain, 
Vaunting aloud, but rack'd with deep despair : 
And him thus answer'd soon his bold compeer : 

O prince, O chief of many throned powers, 
That led th' embattl'd seraphim to war. 
Under thy conduct, and, in dreadful deeds 
Fearless, endanger'd heav'n's perpetual King, 
And put to proof his high supremacy, 
Whether upheld by strength, or chance, or fate 
Too well I see and rue the dire event, 
That with sad overthrow and foul defeat 
Hath lost us Heav'n, and all this mighty host 
In horrible destruction laid thus low, 
As far as gods and heav'nly essences 
Can perish : for the mind and spirit remain 
Invincible, and vigour soon returns, 
Thouo^h all our glory extinct, and happy state 



BOOK I.] PARADISE LOST. 19 

Here swallow'd up in endless misery. 

But what if he our conqueror (whom, I now 

Of force believe Almighty, since no less 

Than such could have o'erpower'd such force as ours) 

Have left us in this our spirit and strength entire, 

Strongly to suffer and support our pains, 

That we may so suffice his vengeful ire, 

Or do him mightier service as his thralls 

By right of war, whate'er his bus'ness be. 

Here in the heart of hell to work in fire, 

Or do his errands in the gloomy deep ; 

What can it then avail, though yet we feel 

Strength undiminish'd, or eternal being. 

To undergo eternal punishment? 

Whereto with speedy words th' arch-fiend replied : 

Fall'n cherub ! to be weak is miserable. 
Doing or suff'ring; but of this be sure. 
To do aught good, never will be our task, 
But ever to do ill our sole delight. 
As being the contrary to his high will 
Whom we resist. If then his providence 
Out of our evil seek to bring forth good, 
Our labour must be to pervert that end, 
And out of good still to find means of evil ; 
Which oft-times may succeed, so as perhaps • 

Shall grieve him, if I fail not, and disturb 
His inmost counsels from their destin'd aim. 
But see ! the angry victor hath recall'd 
His ministers of vengeance and pursuit. 
Back to the gates of heav'n ; the sulphurous hail, 
Shot after us in storm, o'erblown, bath laid 
The fiery surge, that from the precipice 
Of heav'n receiv'd us falling ; and the thunder, 
Wing'd with red lightning and impetuous rage. 
Perhaps hath spent his shafts, and ceases now 
To bellow through the vast and boundless deep. 
Let us not slip th' occasion, whether scorn, 
Or satiate fury, yield it from our foe. 
Seest thou yon dreary plain, forlorn and wild, 



20 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK I. 

The seat of desolation, void of light, 

Save what the glimmering of these livid flames 

Casts pale and dreadful ? Thither let us tend 

From off the tossing of these fiery waves ; 

There rest if any rest can harbour there : 

And, re-assembling our afflicted powers, 

Consult how we may henceforth most ofTend 

Our enemy; our own loss how repair; 

How overcome this dire calamity ; 

What reinforcement we may gain from hope ; 

If not what resolution from despair. 

Thus Satan talking to his nearest mate, 
With head uplift above the wave, and eyes 
That sparkling blaz'd, his other parts beside, 
Prone on the flood, extended long and large, 
Lay floating many a rood ; in bulk as huge 
As whom the fables name of monstrous size, 
Titanian, or earth-born, that warr'd on Jove : 
Briareos or Typhon, whom the den 
By ancient Tarsus held ; or that sea beast 
Leviathan, which God of all his works 
Created hugest that swim th' ocean stream : 
Him, haply slumb'ring on the Norway foam, 
The pilot of some small night founder'd skiff 
Deeming some island, oft, as seamen tell, 
With fix'd anchor in his scaly rind 
Moors by his side under the lee, w^hile night 
Invests the sea, and wish'd morn delays : 
So stretched out huge in length, the arch-fiend lay 
Chain'd on the burning lake : nor ever thence 
Had risen or heav'd his head, but that the will 
And high permission of all-ruling heav'n 
Left him at large to his own dark designs ; 
That with reiterated crimes, he might 
Heap on himself damnation, while he sought 
Evil to others ; and, enrag'd, might see 
How all his malice serv'd but to bring forth 
Infinite goodness, grace, and mercy shown 
On man by him seduced, but on himself 



BOOK I.] FABADISE LOST. 21 

Treble confusion, wrath, and vengeance pour'd. 

Forthwith upright he rears from oflf the pool 

His mighty stature ; on each hand the flames, 

Driv'n backward, slope their pointing spires, and roll'd 

In billows, leave i' th' midst a horrid vale. 

Then with expanded wings he steers liis flight 

Aloft, incumbent on the dusky air 

That felt unusual weight ; till on dry land 

He lights, if it were land that ever burn'd 

With solid, as the lake with liquid fire ; 

And such appear 'd in hue : as when the force 

Of subterranean wind transports a hill 

Torn from Pelorus, or the shatter 'd side 

Of thund'ring .^tna, whose combustible 

And fuell'd entrails, thence conceiving fire, 

Sublim'd with mineral fury, aid the winds, 

And leave a singed bottom all involv'd 

With stench and smoke : such resting found the sole 

Of unblest feet. Him foUow'd his next mate. 

Both glorying to have 'scap'd the Stygian flood 

As gods, and by their own recover'd strength, 

Not by the sufi* 'ranee of supernal power. . 

Is this the region, this the soil, the clime, ^-^ 

Said then the lost arch-angel, this the seat 
That we must change for heaven; this mournful 
For that celestial light ? Be it so ! since he [gloom 
Who now is sov'reign can dispose and bid 
What shall be right : farthest from him is best. 
Whom reason hath equall'd, force hath made supreme 
Above his equals ! Farewell, happy fields, 
Where joy for ever dwells. Hail horrors ! hail 
Infernal world ! and thou profoundest hell. 
Receive thy new possessor ! one who brings 
A mind not to be chang'd by place or time. 
The mind is its own place, and in itself 
Can make a heav'n of hell, a hell of heav'n. 
What matter where if I be still the same. 
And what I should be, all but less than he 
Whom thunder hath made greater ? Here at least 



22 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK L 

"We shall be free : th' Almighty hath not built 
Here, for his envy will not drive us hence i 
Here we may reign secure, and in my choice, 
To reign is worth ambition, though in hell : 
Better to reign in hell, than serve in heav'n ! 
But wherefore let we then our faithful friends, 
Th' associates and copartners of our loss, 
Lie thus astonish'd on th' oblivious pool, 
And call them not to share with us their part, 
In this unhappy mansion ; or once more 
With ralli'd arms, to try what may be yet 
Regain'd in heav'n, or what more lost in hell ? 

So Satan spake, and him Beelzebub 
Thus answer'd : Leader of those armies bright, 
Which but th' Omnipotent none could have foiled ! 
If once they hear that voice, their liveliest pledge 
Of hope in fears and dangers, heard so oft 
In worst extremes, and on the perilous edge 
Of battle when it rag'd, in all assaults 
Their surest signal, they will soon resume 
New courage, and revive, though now they lie 
Grovelling and prostrate on yon lake of fire, 
As we ere while, astounded and amaz'd ; 
No wonder, fall'n such a pernicious height. 

He scarce had ceas'd, when the superior fiend 
Was moving to the shore : his pond'rous shield. 
Ethereal temper, massy, large, and round, 
Behind him cast ; the broad circumference 
Hung on his shoulders like the moon, whose orb 
Through optic glass the Tuscan artist views 
At evening from the top of Fesole, 
Or in Valdarno, to descry new lands. 
Rivers, or mountains, in her spotty globe. 
His spear, to equal which the tallest pine 
Hewn on Norwegian hills, to be the mast 
Of some great admiral, were but a wand, 
He walk'd with, to support uneasy steps 
Over the burning marie, not like those steps 
On heaven's azure ] and the torrid clime 



BOOK I.] PARADISE LOST* 23 

Smote on him sore besides, vaulted with fire : 

Nathless he so endur'd, till on the beach 

Of that inflamed sea, he stood, and call'd 

His legions, artgel forms, who lay entranc'd 

Thick as autumnal leaves that strew the brooks 

In Vallombrosa, where th' Etrurian shades, 

High over-arch'd, embow'r ; or scatter'd sedge 

Afloat, when with fierce winds Orion arm'd 

Hath vex'd the Red-Sea coast, whose waves o'erthrew 

Busiris and his Memphian chivalry. 

While with perfidious hatred they pursu'd . 

The sojourners of Goshen, who beheld 

From the safe shore, their floating carcasses 

And broken chariot wheels : so thick bestrewn, 

Abject and lost lay these, covering the flood. 

Under amazement of their hideous change. 

He call'd so loud, that all the hollow deep 

Of hell resounded. Princes, potentates, 

Warriors, the flower of heav'n ! once yours, now lost I 

If such astonishment as this can seize 

Eternal spirits ; or have ye chosen this place, 

After the toil of battle, to repose 

Yorur wearied virtue, for the ease you find 

To slumber here, as in the vales of heav'n ? 

Or in this abject posture have ye sworn 

T' adore the conqueror, who now beholds 

Cherub and seraph rolling in the flood. 

With scatter'd arms and ensigns, till anon 

His swift pursuers from heav'n's gates discern 

Th' advantage, and descending, tread us down 

Thus drooping, or with link'd thunderbolts 

Transfix us to the bottom of this gulf? 

wake, arise, or be for ever fali'n ! 

They heard, and were abash 'd, and up they sprang 
Upon the wing ; as when men wont to watch 
On duty, sleeping found by whom they dread. 
Rouse, and bestir themselves ere well awake. 
Nor did they not perceive the evil plight 
In which they were, or the fierce pains not feel ; 



21 ^ PARADISE LOST. [BOOK I. 

Yet to their general's voice they soon obey'd 

Innumerable. As when the potent rod 

Of Amram's son, in Egypt's evil day, 

Wav'd round the coast, up call'd a pitchy cloud 

Of locusts, warping on the eastern wind. 

That o'er the realm of impious Pharaoh hung 

Like night, and darken'd aii the land of Nile : 

So numberless were those bad angels seen 

Hovering on wing under the cope of hell, 

'Twixt upper, nether, and surrounding fires; 

Till, as a signal giv'n, th' uplifted spear 

Of their great suhan waving to direct 

Their course, in even balance down they light 

On the firm brimstone, and fill all the plain ; 

A multitude, like which the populous north 

Pour'd never from her frozen loins, to pass 

Rhene or the Danaw, when her barb'rous sons 

Came like a deluge on the south, and spread 

Beneath Gibraltar to the Lybian sands. 

Forthwith from every squadron, and each band, 

The heads, and leaders, thither haste where stood 

Their great commander ; godlike shapes, and form* 

Excelling human ; princely dignities, 

And pow'rs that erst in heaven sat on thrones ; 

Though of their names in heav'nly records now 

Be no memorial, blotted out and raz'd 

By their rebellion, from the book of life. 

Nor had they yet among the sons of Eve 

Got them new names, till, wand'ring o'er the earth, 

Through God's high suff 'ranee for the trial of man;. 

By falsities and lies, the greatest part 

Of mankind they corrupted to forsake 

God their Creator, and th' invisible 

Glory of him that made them, to transform 

Oft to the image of a brute, adom'd 

"With gay religions, full of pomp and gold. 

And devils to adore for deities : 

Then were they known to men by various names. 



BOOK I.] PARADISE LOST. 25 

And various idols through the heathen world, [last, 
Say, Muse, their names then known ; who first, who 
Eous'd from the slumber, on that fiery couch. 
At their great emp'ror's call, as next in worth 
Came singly where he stood on the bare strand, 
While the promiscuous crowd stood yet aloof. 
The chief were those, who, from the pit of hell 
Koaming to seek their prey on earth, durst fix 
Their seats long after, next the seat of God, 
Their altars by his altar ; gods ador'd 
Among the nations round ; and durst abide 
Jehovah thund'ring out of Sion, thron'd 
Between the cherubim ; yea, often plac'd 
Within his sanctuaiy itself, their shrines. 
Abominations ; and with cursed things 
His holy rites and solemn feasts profan'd, 
And with their darkness durst affront his light. 
First, Moloch, horrid king, besmear'J with blood 
Of human sacrifice, and parents' teais, 
Though, for the noise of drums and timbrels loud 
Their children's cries unheard, that passed through 
To his grim idol. Him the Ammonite [fire 

Worshipp'd in Rabba and her wat'ry plain, 
In Argob, and in Basan, to the stream 
Of utmost Arnon ; nor content with such 
Audacious neighbourhood, the wisest heart 
Of Solomon, he led by fraud, to build 
His temple right against the temple of God, 
On that opprobrious hill ; and made his grove 
The pleasant valley of Hinnom, Tophet thence 
And black Gehenna call'd, the type of hell. 
Next, Chemos, th' obscene dread of Moab's sons, 
From Aroar to Nebo, and the wild 
Of southmost Abarim : in Hesebon 
And Horonaim, Seon's realm, beyond 
The flow'ry dale of Sibma clad with vines, 
And Eleale to th' Asphaltic pool. 
Peor his other name, when he entic'd 
Israel in Sittim, on their march from Nile, 
3 



26 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK I. 

To do ilim wanton rites, which cost them wo. 
Yet thence his lustful orgies he enlarg'd 
E'en to that hill of scandal, by the grove 
Of Moloch homicide, lust hard by hate ; 
Till good Josiah drove them thence to hell. 
With these came they, who, from the bord'ring flood 
Of old Euphrates, to the brook that parts 
Egypt from Syrian ground, had general names 
Of Baalim and Ashtorath, those male, 
These feminine : for spirits, when they please, 
Can either sex assume, or both ; so soft 
And uncompounded is their essence pure, 
Not tied or manacled with joint or limb, 
Nor founded on the brittle strength of bones. 
Like cumbrous flesh ; but, in what shape they choose 
Dilated or condens'd, bright or obscure, 
Can execute their airy purposes. 
And works of love or enmity fulfil. 
For those the race of Israel oft forsook 
Their living strength, and unfrequented left 
His righteous altar, bowing lowly down 
To bestial gods ; for which their heads as low 
Bow'd down in battle, sunk before the spear 
Of despicable foes. With these in troop 
Came Astoreth, whom the Phoenicians call'd 
Astarte, queen of Heav'n, with crescent horns : 
To whose bright image nightly by the moon, 
Sidonian virgins paid their vows and songs ; 
In Sion, also not unsung, where stood 
Her temple on th' offensive mountain, built 
By that uxorious king, whose heart, though la^ge, 
Beguil'd by fair idolatresses, fell 
To idols foul. Thammuz came next behind, 
. Whose annual wound in Lebanon, allur'd 
' The Syrian damsels to lament his fate 
In amorous ditties all a summer's day, 
While smooth Adonis frpm his native rock 
Ran purple to the sea, supposed with blood 
Of Thammuz yearly wounded : the love-tale 



BOOK I.J PARADISE LOST. 27 

Infected Sion's daughters with like heat, 

Whose wanton passions in the sacred porch, 

Ezekiel saw, when, by the vision led, 

His eye survey'd the dark idolatries 

Of alienated Judah. Next came one 

Who mourn'd in earnest when the captive ark 

Maim'd his brute image, head and hands lopt off 

In his own temple, on the grunsel edge,^ 

Where he fell flat, and sham'd his worshippers. 

Dagon his name, sea monster, upward man 

And downward fish : yet had his temple high 

Rear'd in Azotus, dreaded through the coast 

Of Palestine, in Gath and Ascalon, 

And Accaron, and Gaza's frontier bounds. 

Him follow'd Rimmon, whose delightful seat 

Was fair Damascus, on the fertile banks 

Of Abbana and Pharphar, lucid streams. 

He also 'gainst the house of God was bold: 

A leper once he lost, and gain'd a king, 

Ahaz, his sottish conqu'ror, whom he drew 

God's altar to disparage, and displace 

For one of Syrian mode, whereon to burn 

His odious off'rings, and adore the gods 

Whom he had vanquish'd. After these, appear'd 

A crew, who, under names of old renown, 

Osiris, Isis, Orus, and their train. 

With monstrous shapes and sorceries, abus'd 

Fanatic Egypt and her priests, to seek 

Their wand'ring gods, disguis'd in brutish forms 

Rather than human. Nor did Israel 'scape 

fh' infection, when their borrow'd gold compos'd 

The calf in Oreb ; and the rebel king 

Doubled that sin in Bethel and in Dan, 

Likening his Maker to the grazed ox, 

Jehovah, who in one night, when he pass'd 

From Egypt marching, equall'd with one stroke 

Both her first-born and all her bleating gods. 

♦ " Grunsel, or groundsil edge :" the threshold of the tempW-gate. 



28 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK T 

Belial came last, than whom, a spirit more lewd 
Fell not from heav'n, or more gross to love 
Vice for itself: to him no temple stood, 
Or altar smok'd : yet who more oft than he 
In temples, and at altars, when the priest 
Turns atheist ? as did Eli's sons, who fill'd 
With lust and violence the house of God ! 
n courts and palaces he also reigns, 
And in luxurious cities, where the noise 
Of riot ascends above their loftiest towers, 
And injury, and outrage : and when night 
Darkens the streets, then wander forth the sons 
Of Belial, flown with insolence and wine. 
Witness the streets of Sodom, and that night 
In Gibeah, when the hospitable door 
Expos 'd a matron to avoid worse rape. 
These were the prime in order, and in might ; 
The rest were long to tell, though far renown'd, 
Th' Ionian gods, of Javan's issue, held 
Gods, yet confess'd later than heav'n and earth, 
Their boasted parents : Titan, heav'n's first-born, 
With his enormous brood, and birthright seiz'd 
By younger Saturn ; he from mightier Jove, 
His own and Rhea's son, like measure found ; 
So Jove usurping reign'd : these first in Crete 
And Ida known, thence on the snowy top 
Of cold Olympus, rul'd the middle air, 
Their highest Heav'n ; or on the Delphian cliflfj 
Or in Dodona, and through all the bounds 
Of Doric land ; or who with Saturn old 
Fled o'er Adria to th' Hesperian fields. 
And o'er the Celtic roam'd the utmost isles. 

All these and more came flocking ; but with looks 
Down-cast and damp ; yet such wherein appear'd 
Obscure some glimpse of joy, t' have found their chief 
Not in despair, t' have found themselves not lost 
In loss itself; which on his count'nance cast 
Like doubtful hue : but he, his wonted pride 
Soon recollecting, with high words, that bore 



BOOK I-l PARADISE LOST. 29 

Semblance of worth, not substance, gently rais'd 

Their fainting courage, and dispell'd their fears. 

Then straight commands that at the warlike sonnd 

Of trumpets loud, and clarions, be uprear'd 

His mighty standard : that proud honour clai?^*' < 

Azazel as his right, a cherub tall ; 

Who forthwith from the glitt'ring staff unfurl V 

Th' imperial ensign, which full high advanc'd, 

Shone like a meteor streaming to the wind. 

With gems and golden lustre rich emblaz'd, 

Seraphic arms and trophies ; all the while 

Sonorous metal blowing martial sounds : 

At which the universal host up-sent 

A shout, that tore hell's concave, and beyond 

Frighted the reign of Chaos and old Night. 

All in a moment through the gloom were seen 

Ten thousand banners rise into the air. 

With orient colours waving : with them rose 

A forest huge of spears ; and thronging helms 

Appear'd, and serried shields'^ in thick array, 

Of depth immeasureable : anon they move 

In perfect phalanx to the Dorian mood 

Of flutes and soft recorders ; such as rais'd 

To height of noblest temper, heroes old 

Arming to battle ; and, instead of rage. 

Deliberate valour breath'd, firm and unmov'd 

With dread of death to flight, or foul retreat ; 

Nor wanting pow'r to mitigate and 'swage 

With solemn touches troubled thoughts, and chase 

Anguish, and doubt, and fear, and sorrow, and pain, 

From mortal or immortal minds. Thus they, 

Breathing united force, with fix'd thought, 

Mov'd on in silence to soft pipes, that charm'd 

Their painful steps o'er the burnt soil ; and now 

Advanc'd in view they stand, a horrid front 

Of dreadful length and dazzling arms, in guise 

Of warriors old, with order'd spear and shield, 



" Serried shield ;"' locked ; from the French Serrer 

3* 



•*^0 PARADISE LOST. [boOK I. 

Awaiting what command their might}'- chief 

Had to impose : he through the armed files 

Darts his experienc'd eye, and soon traverse 

The whole battallionj views their order due. 

Their visages and stature as of gods ; 

Their number last he sums. And now his heart 

Distends with pride, and hard'ning, in his strength 

Glories : for never since created man, 

Met such embodi'd force, as nam'd with these. 

Could merit more than that small infantry 

Warr'd on by cranes ; though all the giant brood 

Of Phlegra with th' heroic race were join'd 

That fought at Thebes and Ilium, on each side 

Mix'd with auxiliar gods ; and what resounds 

In fable or romance of Uther's son, 

Begirt with British and Armoric knights ; 

And all who since, baptiz'd or infidel, 

Jousted in Aspramont, or Montalban. 

Damasco, or Marocco, or Trebisond, 

Or whom Biserta sent from Afric shore. 

When Charlemagne with all his peerage fell 

By Fontarabbia. Thus far these, beyond 

Compare of mortal prowess, yet observ'd 

Their dread commander : he, above the rest 

In shape and gesture proudly eminent, 

Stood like a tower : his form had yet not lost 

All her original brightness, nor appear'd 

Less than archangel ruin'd, and th' excess 

Of glory obscur'd : as when the sun, new risen, 

Looks through the horizontal misty air, 

Shorn of his beams ; or from behind the moon 

In dim eclipse, disastrous twilight sheds 

On half the nations, and with fear of change 

Perplexes monarchs. Darken'd so, yet shone 

Above them all, th' archangel : but his face 

Deep scars of thunder had intrench'd, and care 

Sat on his faded cheeK, but under brows 

Of dauntless courage, and considerate pride 

Waiting revenge : cruel hii eye, but cast 



BOOK I.J PARADISE LOST. 31 

Signs of remorse and passion to behold 

The fellows of his crime, the followers rather, 

(Far other once beheld in bliss,) condemn'd 

For ever now to have their lot in pain, 

Millions of spirits for his fault amerc'd 

Of heav'n, and from eternal splendours flung 

For his revolt, yet faithful how they stood, 

Their glory wither'd : as when heaven's fire * 

Hath scath'd the forest oaks, or mountain pines, 

With singed top their stately growth though bare, 

Stands on the blasted heath. He now prepar'd 

To .speak ; whereat their doubled ranks they bend 

From wing to wing, and half enclose him round 

With all his peers : attention held them mute. 

Thrice he assay'd, and thrice in spite of scorn, 

Tears, such as angels weep, burst forth ! at last 

Words, interwove with sighs, found out their way. 

O myriads of immortal spirits ! O powers 
Matchless, but with th' Almighty ! and that strife 
Was not inglorious, though th' event was dire, 
As this place testifies, and this dire change, 
Hateful to utter ! but what pow'r of mind, 
Foreseeing or presaging, from the depth 
Of knowledge past, or present, could have fear'd 
How such united force of gods, how such 
As stood like these, could ever know repulse ? 
For who can yet believe, though after loss, 
That all these puissant legions, whose exile 
Hath emptied heav'n, shall fail to reascend, 
Self-rais'd, and repossess their native seat ? 
For me, be witness all the host of heaven. 
If counsels difTerent, or dangers shunn'd 
By me, have lost our hopes. But he, who reigns 
Monarch in heav'n, till then as one secure 
Sat on his throne, upheld by old repute. 
Consent or custom, and his regal state 
Put forth at full, but still his strength conceal'd. 
Which tempted our attempt, and wrought our fall. 
Henceforth his might we know, and know our own, 



32 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK I 

So as not either to provoke, or dread 

New war provok'd ! our better part remains 

To work in close design, by fraud or guile, 

What force effected not : that he no less 

At length from us may find, who overcomes 

By force, hath overcome but half his foe. 

Space may produce new worlds ; whereof so rife 

There went a fame in heav'n that he ere long 

Intended to create, and therein plant 

A generation, whom his choice regard 

Should favour equal to the sons of heaven ; 

Thither, if hut to pry, shall be perhaps 

Our first eruption, thither or elsewhere: 

For this infernal pit shall never hold 

Celestial spirits in bondage, nor th' abyss 

Long under darkness cover. But these thoughts 

Full counsel must mature : peace is despair'd ; 

For who can think submission ? War then, war 

Open or understood, must be reeolv'd. 

He spake : and to confirm his words, out flew 
Millions of flaming swords, drawn from the thighs 
Of mighty cherubim ; the sudden blaze 
Far round illumin'd hell : highly they rag'd 
Against the Highest, and fierce with grasped arms 
Clash'd on their sounding shields the din of war, 
Hurling defiance toward the vault of heav'n. 

There stood a hill not far, whose grisly top 
Belch'd fire and rolling smoke ; the rest entire 
Shone with a glossy scurf, undoubted sign 
That in his womb was hid metallic ore. 
The work of sulphur. Thither, wing'd with speed, 
A num'rous brigade hasten'd : as when bands 
Of pioneers, with spade and pickaxe arm'd, 
l^ot-erun the royal camp, to trench a field. 
Or cast a rampart. Mammon led them on, 
Mammon, the least erected spirit that fell 
From heav'n ; for e'en in heaven his looks and thoughts 
Were always downward bent, admiring more 
The riches of heaven's pavement, ^vodden gold, 



BOOK I.J PARADISE LOST. 33 

Than ought divine or holy else enjoy 'd 

In vision beatific ; by him first 

Men also, and by his suggestion taught, 

Ransack'd the centre, and v^rith impious hands, 

Rifled the bowels of their mother earth 

For treasures better hid. Soon had his crew 

Open'd into the hill a spacious wound, 

And digg'd out ribs of gold. Let none admire 

That riches grow in hell ; that soil may best 

Deserve the precious bane. And here let those. 

Who boast in mortal things, and wond'ring, tell 

Of Babel, and the works of Memphian kings, 

Learn how theii* greatest monuments of fame, 

And strength, and art, are easily outdone 

By spirits reprobate, and in an hour 

What in an age they, with incessant toil 

And hands innumerable, scarce perform. 

Nigh on the plain in many cells prepar'd, 

That underneath had veins of liquid fire 

Sluic'd from the lake, a second multitude 

"With wond'rous art founded the massy ore, 

Sev'ring each kind, and scumm'd the bullion dross ; 

A third as soon had form'd within the ground 

A various mould, and from the boiling cells 

By strange conveyance fiU'd each hollow nook : 

As in an organ, from one blast of wind. 

To many a row of pipes the soundboard breathes. 

Anon out of the earth a fabric huge 

Rose like an exhalation, with the sound 

Of dulcet symphonies and voices sweet. 

Built like a temple, where pilasters round 

Were set, and Doric pillars overlaid 

With golden architrave ; nor did they want 

Cornice or frieze, with bossy sculptures graven , 

The roof was fretted gold. Not Babylon, 

Nor great Alcairo, such magnificence 

Equall'd in all their glories, to enshrine 

Belus or Serapis, their gods, or seat 

Their kings, when Egypt with Assyria strove 



34 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK L 

In wealth and luxury. Th' ascending pile 

Stood fix'd her stately height ; and straight the doors, 

Opening their brazen folds, discover wide 

Within, her ample spaces, o'er the smooth 

And level pavement ; from the arched rool 

Pendent by subtle magic, many a row 

Of starry lamps and blazing cressets, fed 

With naphtha and asphaltus, yielded light 

As from a sky. The hasty multitude 

Admiring enter'd ; and the work some praise, 

And some the architect : his hand was known 

In heaven by many a tower'd structure high, 

Where scepter'd angels held their residence, 

And sat as princes, whom the supreme King 

Exalted to such a pow'r, and gave to rule, 

Each in his hierachy, the orders bright. 

Nor was his name unheard or unador'd 

In ancient Greece ; and in Ausonian land 

Men call'd him Mulciber ; and how he fell 

From heaven, they fabled, thrown by angry Jove 

Sheer o'er the crystal battlements : from morn 

To noon he fell, from noon to dewy eye, 

A summer's day ; and with the setting sun 

Dropt from the zenith like a falling star, 

On Lemnos th' jJEgean isle : thus they relate, 

Erring ; for he with this rebellious rout 

Fell long before ; nor aught avail'd him now 

T' have built in heav'n high tow'rs ; nor did he 'scape 

By all his engines, but was headlong sent 

With his industrious crew to build in hell. 

Meanwhile the winged heralds, by command 
Of sov'reign pow'r, with awful ceremony 
And trumpet's sound, throughout the host proclaim 
A solemn council, forthwith to be held 
At Pandemonium, the high capital 
Of Satan and his peers : their summons call'd 
From every band and squared regiment 
By place or choice the worthiest ; they anon 
With hundreds and with thousands trooping came 



BOOK I ] PARADISE LOST. 85 

Attended : all access was throngM ; the gates 

And porches wide, but chief the spacious hall 

(Though like a cover'd field, where champions bold 

Wont ride in arm'd, and at the Soldan's chair, 

Defied the best of Panim chivalry 

To mortal combat, or career with lance) 

Thick swarm'd both on the ground, and in the air 

Brush'd with the hiss of rustling wings. As bees 

In spring time, when the sun with Taurus rides, 

Pour forth the pop'lous youth about the hive 

In clusters ; they among fresh dews and flow'rs 

Fly to and fro, or on the smoothed plank, 

The suburb of their straw-built citadel 

New rubb'd with balm, expatiate and confer 

Their state affairs. So thick the airy crowd 

Swarm'd and were straitenM ; till, the signal given, 

Behold a wonder ! They but now who seem'd 

In bigness to surpass earth's giant sons, 

Now less than smallest dwarfs, in narrow room 

Throng numberless; like that pygmean race 

Beyond the Indian mount ; or fairy elves, 

Whose midnight revels, by a forest side 

Or fountain, some belated peasant sees, 

Or dreams he sees, while over-head the moon 

Sits arbitress, and nearer to the earth 

Wheels her pale coarse ; they, on their mirth and dance 

Intent, with jocund music charm his ear; 

At once Avith joy and fear his heart rebounds. 

Thus incorporeal spirits to smallest forms 

Reduc'd their shapes immense, and were at large, 

Though without number still, amidst the hall 

Of that infernal court. But far within. 

And in their own dimensions, like themselves. 

The great seraphic lords and cherubim 

In close recess and secret conclave sat ; 

A thousand demi-gods on golden seats. 

Frequent and full. After short silence then. 

And summons read, tne ?rear consult oeoran 

EXT; jF TiiE FfRST Book. 



^ 



THE 

SECOND BOOK 

OF 

PARADISE LOST. 



THE ARGUMENT. 



The consultation begun, Satan debates whether another battle be 
to be hazarded for the recovery of Heaven : Some advise it, 
others dissuade : A third proposal is preferred, mentioned before 
by Satan, to search the truth of that prophecy or tradition in 
Heaven concerning another world, and another kind of creature, 
equal, or not much inferior to themselves, about this time to be 
created : Their doubt who shall be sent on this difficult search ; 
Satan, their chief, undertakes alone the voyage, is honoured and 
applauded. The council thus ended, the rest betake them sev- 
eral ways, and to several employments, as their inclinations lead 
them, to entertain the time till Satan return. He passes on 
his journey to Hell gates, finds them shut, and who sat there 
to guard them, by whom at length they are opened, and discover 
to him the great gulf between Hell and Heaven ; with what dif- 
ficulty he passes through, directed by Chaos, the Power of that 
place^ to the sight of the new world which he sought. 



PA.RAD1SE LOST. 



BDOK II. 



High on a throne of royal state, which far 

O'ltshone the weahh of Ormus, and of Ind, 

Or where the gorgeous east with richest hand 

Showers on her kings barbaric pearl and gold, 

Satan exalted sat, by merit rais'd 

To that bad eminence ; and from despair 

Thus high uplifted beyond hope, aspires 

Beyond thus high, insatiate to pursue 

Vain war with heav'n, and by success untaught. 

His proud imaginations thus display d. 

Pow'rs and Dominions, Deities of heav'n. 
For since no deep within her gulf can hold 
Immortal vigour, though oppress'd and fallen, 
I give not heav'n for lost. From this descent 
Celestial virtues rising, will appear 
More glorious and more dread than from no fall , 
And trust themselves to fear no second fate. 
Me, though just right, and the fix'd laws of heav*n, 
Did first create your leader, next free choice, 
With what besides, in council or in fight. 
Hath been achiev'd of merit, yet this loss 
Thus far at least recover'd hath much more 
Establwsh'd in a safe unenvied throne, 
Yielded with full consent. The happier state 
In luvdv'n, which follows dignity, might draw 
Envy from each mferior; but who here 



40 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK H 

Will envy whom the highest place, exposes 
Foremost to stand against the Thund'rer's aim, 
Your bulwark, and condemns to greater share 
Of endless pain ? where there is then no good 
For which to strive, no strife can grow up there 
From faction ; for none sure will claim in hell 
Precedence, none whose portion is so small 
Of present pain, that with ambitious mind 
Will covet more. With this advantage then 
To union and firm faith, and firm accord, 
More than can be in heav'n, we now return 
To claim our just inheritance of old, 
Surer to prosper than prosperity- 
Could have assured us; and by what best way. 
Whether of open war or covert guile, 
We now debate ; who can advise, may speak. 

He ceas'd, and next him Moloch, scepter'd king 
Stood up, the strongest and the fiercest Spirit 
That fought in heav'n, now fiercer by despair , 
His trust was with th' Eternal to be deemed 
Equal in strength, and rather than be less 
Car'd not to be at all ; with that care lost 
Went all his fear : of God, or hell, or worse 
He reck'd not, and these words thereafter spake : 

My sentence is for open war ; of wiles. 
More unexpert, I boast not ; them let those 
Contrive who need, or when they need, not now 
For while they sit contriving, shall the rest, 
Millions that stand in arms and longing wait 
The signal to ascend, sit ling'ring here, 
Heav'n's fugitives, and for their dwelling place 
Accept this dark opprobrious den of shame, 
The prison of his tyranny who reigns 
By our delay? No, let us rather choose, 
Arm'd with hell flames and fury, all at once 
O'er heav'n's high tow'rs to force resistless way, 
Turning our Tort'rer into horrid arms 
Against the torturer : when to meet the noise 
Of his almighty engine, he shall hear 



BOOK II,] PARADISE LOST. 41 

Infernal thunder, and for lightning see 
Black fire and horror shot with equal rage 
Among his Angels, and his throne itself 
Mix'd with Tartarean sulphur, and strange fire, 
His own invented torments. But perhaps 
The way seems difficult and steep to scale 
With upright wing, against a higher foe. 
Let such bethink them, if the sleepy drench 
Of that forgetful lake benumb not still, 
That in our proper motion we ascend 
Up to our native seat : descent and fall 
To us is adverse. Who but felt of late, 
When the fierce foe hung o'er our broken rear 
Insulting, and pursu'd us through the deep, 
With what compulsion and laborious flight 
We sunk thus low? Th' ascent is easy then ; 
Th' event is fear'd : should we again provoke 
Our stronger, some worse way his wrath may find 
To our destruction ; if there be in hell 
Fear to be worse destroy'd ; what can be worse 
Than to dwell here, driv'n out from bliss, condemird' 
In this abhorred deep to utter wo ; 
Where pain of unextinguishable fire 
Must exercise us without hope of end 
The vassals of his anger, when the scourge 
Inexorably, and the tort'ring hour 
Calls us to penance ? More destroy'd than thus 
We should be quite abolish'd and expire. 
What fear we then ? what doubt we to incense 
His utmost ire ? which to the height enrag'd. 
Will either quite consume us, and reduce 
To nothing this essentia], happier far 
Than miserable to have eternal being : 
Or if our substance be indeed divine. 
And cannot cease to be, we are at worst 
On this side nothing : and by proof, we feel 
Our pow'r sufficient to disturb his heav'n, 
And with perpetual inroads to alarm, 
4 • 



42 PARADISE LOST. {bOOK H. 

Though inaccesible, his fatal throne :* 
Which if not victory, is yet revenge. 

He ended frowning, and his look denounc'd 
Desp'rate revenge, and battle dangerous 
To less than gods. On th' other side rose up 
Belial, in act more graceful and humane ; 
A fairer person lost not heav'n ; he seem'd 
For dignity compos'd and high exploit : 
But all was false and hollow ; though his tongue 
Dropt manna, and could make the worse appear 
The better reason, to perplex and dash 
Maturest counsels : for his thoughts were low ; 
To vice industrious, but to nobler deeds 
Tim'rous and slothful : yet he pleas'd the ear, 
And with persuasive accent thus began. 

I should be much for open war, O peers ! 
As not behind in hate ; if what was urg'd 
Main reason to persuade immediate war, 
Did not dissuade me most, and seem to cast 
Ominous conjecture on the whole success : 
When he who most excels in feats of arms, 
In what he counsels and in what excels ; 
Mistrustful grounds his courage on despair, 
And utter dissolution, as the scope 
Of all his aim, after some dire revenge. 
First, what revenge ? the tow'rs of heav'n are filPd 
With armed watch, that renders all access 
Impregnable ; oft on the bord'ring deep 
Incamp their legions, or with obscure wing 
Scout far and wide into the realm of night, 
Scorning surprise. Or could we break our way 
By force, and at our heels all hell should rise 
With blackest insurrection, to confound 
Heav'n's purest light, yet our great enemy, 
All incorruptible, would on his throne 
Sit unpolluted, and th' etherial mould 
Incapable of stain would soon expel 



BOOK II.] PARADISE LOST. 43 

Her mischief, and purge off the baser fire 
Victorious. Thus repuls'd our final hope 
Is flat despair ; we must exasperate 
Th' almighty victor to spend all his rage, 
And that must end us, that must be our cure. 
To be no more ; sad cure ; for who would lose, 
Though full of pain, this intellectual being, 
Those thoughts that wander through eternity, 
To perish rather, swallow'd up and lost 
In the wide womb of uncreated night. 
Devoid of sense and motion ? and who knows, 
Let this be good, whether our angry foe 
Can give it, or will ever ? how he can, 
Is doubtful ; that he never will, is sure. 
Will he, so wise, let loose at once his ire, 
Belike through impotence, or unaware. 
To give his enemies their wish, and end 
Them in his anger, whom his anger saves 
To punish endless ? Wherefore cease we then ? 
Say they w^ho counsel war, we are decreed, 
Reserv'd, and destin'd to eternal wo ; 
Whatever doing, what can v;e suffer more. 
What can we suffer worse ? Is this then worst, 
Thus sitting, thus consulting, thus in arms ? 
What ! when we fled amain, pursu'd and struck 
With heaven's afflicting thunder, and besought 
The deep to shelter us ? this hell then seem'd 
A refuge from those wounds : or when we lay 
Chain'd on the burning lake ? that sure was worse 
What if the breath, that kindled those grim fires, 
Awak'd, should blow them into sevenfold rage, 
And plunge us in the flames ? or from above 
Should intermitted vengeance, arm again 
His red right hand to plague us ? what if all 
Her stores were open'd, and this firmament 
Of hell should spout her cataracts of fire. 
Impendent horrors, threat'ning hideous fall 
One day upon our heads ; while we perhaps 
Designing or exhorting- oflorious war. 



44 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK II. 

Caught in a fiery tempest shall be hurl'd 

Each on his rock transfix'd, the sport and prey 

Of wracking whirlwinds, or forever sunk 

Under yon boiling ocean wrapt in chains ; 

There to converse with everlasting groans, 

Unrespited, unpitied, unrepriev'd, 

Ages of hopeless end ? this would be worse. 

War therefore, open or conceal'd, alike 

My voice dissuades ; for what can force or guile 

With him, or who deceive his mind, whose eye 

Views all things at one view ? he from heav'n's height 

All these our motions vain, sees and derides ; 

Not more almighty to resist our might 

Than wise to frustrate all our plots and wiles. 

Shall we then live thus vile, the race of heuv'n 

Thus trampled, thus expell'd to suffer here 

Chains and these torments ? better these than worse, 

By my advice; since fate inevitable 

Subdues us, and omnipotent decree. 

The victor's will. To suffer, as to do. 

Our strength is equal, nor the law unjust 

That so ordains : this was at first resolv'd, 

If we were wise, against so great a foe 

Contending, and so doubtful what might fall. 

I laugh when those who at the spear are bold 

And vent'rous, if that fail them, shrink and fear 

What yet they know must follow, to endure 

Exile, or ignominy, or bonds, or pain. 

The sentence of their conqu'ror : this is now 

Our doom ; which if we can sustain and bear, 

Our supreme foe in time may much remit 

His anger, and perhaps thus far remov'd 

Not mind us not offending, satisfy'd 

With what is punish'd ; whence these raging fires 

Will slacken, if his breath stir not their flames. 

Our purer essence then will overcome 

Their noxious vapour, or innur'd not feel, 

Or chang'd at length, and to the place conformed 

In temper and in nature, will receive 



BOOK 11.] PARADISE LOST. 45 

Familiar the fierce heat, and void of pain, 

This horror -will grow mild, this darkness light ; 

Besides what hope the never-ending flight 

Of future days may bring, what chance, what change 

Worth waiting, since our present lot appears 

For happy though but ill, for ill not worst, 

If we procure not to ourselves more wo. 

Thus Belial with words cloth'd in reason's garb, 
Counsel'd ignoble ease, and peaceful sloth. 
Not peace : and after him, thus Mammon spake • 

Either to disenthrone the king of heav'n 
We war, if war we best, or to regain 
Our own right lost : him to unthrone we then 
May hope, when everlasting fate shall yield 
To fickle chance, and Chaos judge the strife; 
The former vain to hope argues as vain 
The latter : for what place can be for us 
Within heav'ns bound, unless heav'n 's lord supreme 
We overpow'r ? Suppose he should relent, 
And publish grace to all, on promise made 
Of new subjection ; with what eyes could we 
Stand in his presence humble, and receive 
Strict laws impos'd, to celebrate his throne 
With warbled hymns, and to his godhead sing 
Forc'd hallelujahs ; while he lordly sits 
Our envied Sov'reign, and his altar breathes 
Ambrosial odours, and ambrosial flow'rs, 
Our servile off 'rings ? This must be our task 
In heav'n, this our delight ; how wearisome 
Eternity so spent in worship paid 
To whom we hate ! Let us not then pursue 
By force impossible, by leave obtain'd, 
Unacceptable, though in heav'n, our state 
Of splendid vassalage ; but rather seek 
Our own good from ourselves, and from our own 
Live to ourselves, though in this vast recess, 
Free and to none accountable, preferring 
Hard liberty before the easy yoke 
Of servile pomp. Our greatness will appear 



46 PARADISE LOST. [bOOIC II. 

Then most conspicuous, when great things of small, 

Useful of hurtful, prosp'rous of adverse 

We can create, and in what place soe'er 

Thrive under evil, and work ease out of pain 

Through labour and endurance. This deep world 

Of darkness do we dread ? How oft amidst 

Thick clouds and dark, doth heav'n's all-ruling Sire 

Choose to reside, his glory unobscur'd, 

And with the majesty of darkness round 

Covers his throne ; from whence deep thunders roar 

Must'ring their rage, and heav'n resembles hell? 

As he our darkness, cannot we his light 

Imitate when we please ? This desert soil 

Wants not her hidden lustre, gems and gold ; 

Nor want we skill or art, from whence to raise 

Magnificence ; and what can heav'n show more ? 

Our torments also may in length of time 

Become our elements, these piercing fires 

As soft as now severe, our temper chang'd 

Into their temper ; which must needs remove 

The sensible of pain.=^ All things invite 

To peaceful counsels, and the settled state 

Of order, how in safety best we may 

Compose our present evils, with regard 

Of what we are and were, dismissing quite 

All thoughts of war. Ye have what I advise. 

He scarce had finish'd, when such murmur fiU'd 
Th' assembly, as when hollow rocks retain 
The sound of blust'ring winds, which all night long 
Had rous'd the seas, now with hoarse cadence lull 
Sea-faring men o'er-watch'd, whose bark by chance. 
Or pinnace, anchors in a craggy bay 
After the tempest : such applause was heard 
As Mammon ended, and his sentence pleas'd, 
Advising peace : for such another field 
They dreaded worse than hell : so much the fear 
Of thunder and the sword of Michael 

♦ " The sensible of pain :" the s<»n8il»ility or faculty of fteling. 



BOOK 11.] PARADISE LOST. 47 

Wrought still within them ; and no less desire 

To found this nether empire, which might rise 

By policy and long process of time, 

In emulation opposite to heav'n. 

Which when Beelzebub perceiv'd, than whom, 

Satan except, none higher sat, with grave 

Aspect he rose, and in his rising seem'd 

A pillar of state, deep on his front engraven 

Deliberation sat, and public care ; 

And princely counsel in his face yet shone, 

Majestic though in ruin : sage he stood, 

With Atlantean shoulders, fit to bear 

The weight of mightiest monarchies ; his look 

Brew audience and attention still as night, 

Or summers noontide air, while thus he spake : 

Thrones and Imperial Pow'rs, offspring of heav'n, 

Ethereal Virtues ; ot these titles now 

Must we renounce, and changing style be call'd 

Princes of hell ? for so the pop'kr vote 

Inclines us, here to continue, and build up here 

A growing empire ; doubtless, while we dream, 

And know not that the King of heav'n hath doom'd 

This place our dungeon, not our safe retreat 

Beyond his potent arm, to live exempt 

From heav'n 's high jurisdiction, in new league 

Banded against his throne, but to remain 

In strictest bondage, though thus far remov'd 

Under the inevitable curb, reserv'd 

His captive multitude : for He, be sure, 

In height or depth, still first and last will reign 

Sole king, and of his kingdom lose no part 

By our revolt, but over hell extend 

His empire, and with iron sceptre rule 

Us here, as with his golden those in heav'n. 

What sit we then projecting peace and war ? 

War hath determin'd us, and foil'd with loss 

Irreparable ; terms of peace yet none 

Vouchsaf'd or sought ; for what peace will be giv'n 

10 us enslav'd, but custody severe, 



48 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK XI 

And stripes, and arbitrary punishment 

Inflicted ? and what peace can we return, 

But to our pow'r hostility and hate, 

Untam'd reluctance, and revenge though slow, 

Yet ever plotting how the Conqu'ror least 

May reap his conquest, and may least rejoice 

In doing what we most in suff'ring feel ? 

Nor will occasion want, nor shall we need 

With dang'rous expedition to invade 

Heav'n, whose high walls fear no assault or seige, 

Or ambush from the deep. What if we find 

Some easier enterprise ? There is a place, 

(If ancient and prophetic fame in heav'n 

Err not) another world, the happy seat^ 

Of some new race call'd Man, about this time 

To be created like to us, though less 

In pow'r and excellence, but favoured more 

Of him who rules above ; so was his will 

Pronounc'd among the gods, and by an oath, 

That shook heav'n 's whole circumference, confirm d 

Thither let us bend all our thoughts, to learn 

What creatures there inhabit, of what mould, 

Or substance ; how indu'd, and what their pow'r, 

And where their weakness, how attempted best, 

By force or subtlety. Though heav'n be shut, 

And heav'n's high Arbitrator sit secure 

In his own strength, this place may lie expos'd ; 

The utmost border of his kingdom, left, 

To their defence who hold it : here perhaps 

Some advantageous act may be achiev'd 

By sudden onset, either with hell fire 

To waste his whole creation, or possess 

All as our own, and drive, as we were driven, 

The puny inhabitants, or if not drive. 

Seduce them to our party, that their God 

May prove their foe, and with repenting hand 

Abolish his own works. This would surpass 

Common revenge, and interrupt his joy 

In our confusion, and our joy upraise 



BOOK 11. j i aradise lost. 40 

In his disturbance ; when his darling sons, 
Hurl'd headlong to partake with us, shall curse 
Their frail original, and faded bliss, 
Faded so soon. Advise if this be worth 
Attempting, or to sit in darkness here, 
Hatching vain empires. Thus Beelzebub 
Pleaded his devilish counsel, first devis'd 
By Satan, and in part propos'd : for whence, 
But from the author of all ill, could spring 
So deep a malice, to confound the race 
Of mankind in one root, and earth with hell 
To mingle and involve, done all to spite 
The great Creator ? But their spite still serves 
His glory to augment. The bold design 
Pleas'd highly those infernal States, and joy 
Sparkled in all their eyes ; with full assent 
They fote ; whereat his speech he thus renews. 
"Well have ye judg'd, well ended long debate, 
Synod of gods, and like to what ye are. 
Great things resolv'd, whicn from the lowest deep, 
Will once more lift us up, in spite of fate, 
Nearer our ancient seat ; perhaps in view 
Of those bright confines, whence with neighb'ring arms 
And opportune excursion we may chance 
Ke-enter heav'n ; or else in some mild zone 
Dwell not un visited of heav'n 's fair light 
Secure, and at the bright'ning orient beam 
Purge off this gloom ; the soft delicious air, 
To heal the scar of these corrosive fires. 
Shall breath her balm. But first whom shall we send 
In search of this new world ? whom shall we find 
Sufficient? who shall tempt with wand'ring feet 
The dark unbottom'd infinite abyss. 
And through the palpable obscure find out 
His uncouth way, to spread his airy flight 
Upborne with indefatigable wings 
Over the vast abrupt, ere he arrive 
The happy isle? what strength, what ait can then 
Suffice, or what evasion bear him safe 
5 



60 PARADISE LOST. [BOOK Il» 

Through the strict sentries and stations thick 
Of angels watching round ? Here he had need 
All circumspection, and we now no less 
Choice in our suffrage ; for on whom we send, 
The weight of all, and our last hope relies. 

This said, he sat ; and expectation held 
His look suspense, awaiting who appear'd 
To second, or oppose, or undertake 
The perilous attempt ; hut all sat mute, 
Pond'ring the danger with deep thoughts ; and each 
In others' count'nance, read his own dismay 
Astonish'd : none among the choice and prime 
Of those heav'n-warring champions could be found 
So hardy as to proffer or accept 
Alone the dreadful voyage ; till at last, 
Satan, whom now transcendent glory raised 
Above his fellows, with monarchial pride. 
Conscious of highest worth, unmov'd, thus spake . 

O progeny of heav'n, empyreal thrones, 
With reason hath deep silence and demur 
Seiz'd us, though undismay'd : long is the way 
And hard, that out of hell leads up to light ; 
Our prison strong ; this huge convex of fire, 
Outrageous to devour, immures us round 
Ninefold, the gates of burning adamant 
Barr'd over to prohibit all egress. 
These pass'd, if any pass, the void profound 
Of unessential Night receives him next 
Wide gaping, and with utter loss of being 
Threatens him ; plung'd in that abortive gulf. 
If thence he 'scape, into whatever world, 
Or unknown region, what remains him less 
Than unknown dangers, and as hard escape ? 
But I should ill become this throne, O peers. 
And this imperial sov'reignty adorn'd 
With splendour, arm'd with pow'r if ought proposed 
And judg'd of public moment, in the shape 
Of difficulty or danger, could deter 
Me from attempting. Wherefore do I assume 



BOOK II.] PARADISE LOST. 61 

These royalties, and not refuse to reign, 

Kefusing to accept as great a share 

Of hazard as of honour, due alike 

To him who reigns, and so much to him due 

Of hazard more, as he above the rest 

High honour'd sits ? Go therefore, mighty pow'rs, 

Terror of heav'n, though fall'n ; intend at home, 

While here shall be our home, what best may ease 

The present misery, and render hell 

More tolerable ; if there be cure or charm 

To respite or deceive, or slack the pain 

Of this ill mansion : intermit no watch 

Against a wakeful foe, while I abroad 

Through all the coasts of dark destruction, seek 

Deliverance for us all : this enterprise 

None shall partake with me. Thus saying rose 

The monarch, and prevented all reply, 

Prudent lest from his resolution rais'd, 

Others among the chief might offer now 

(Certain to be refus'd) what erst they fear'd; 

And so refus'd might in opinion stand 

His rivals, winning cheap the high repute 

Which he through hazard huge must earn. But they 

Dreaded not more th' adventure than his voice 

Forbidding ; and at once with him they rose ; 

Their rising all at once was as the sound 

Of thunder heard remote. Towards him they bend 

With awful reverence prone ; and as a God 

Jlxtol him equal to the Highest in heav'n : 

Nor fail'd they to express how much they praised, 

That for the general safety he despis'd 

His own : for neither do the spirits damn'd 

Lose all their virtue, lest bad men should boast 

Their specious deeds on earth, which glory excites, 

Or close ambition varnish'd o'er with zeal. 

Thus they their doubtful consultations dark 

Ended, rejoicing in their matchless chief: 

As when from mountain tops the dusky clouds 

Ascending, while the north-wind sleeps, o'erspread 



62 PARADISE LOST. fflOOK II. 

Heav'ri's cheerful face, the louring element 

Scowls o'er the darken'd landscape, snow or shower; 

If chance the radiant sun with farewell sweet 

Extend his evening beam, the fields revive, 

The birds their notes renew, and bleating herds 

Attest their joy, that hill and valley rings. 

O shame to men ! Devil with Devil damn'd 

Firm concord holds, men only disagree 

Of creatures rational, though under hope 

Of heav'nly grace : and God proclaiming peace, 

Yet live in hatred, enmity, and strife 

Among themselves, and levy cruel wars. 

Wasting the earth, each other to destroy : 

As if (which might induce us to accord) 

Man had not hellish foes enow besides. 

That day and night for his destruction wait. 

The Stygian council thus dissolved ; and forth 
In order came the grand infernal peers : 
Midst came their mighty paramount, and seem'd 
Alone th' antagonist of heav'n, nor less 
Than hell's dread emperor, with pomp supreme, 
And godlike imitated state ; him round 
A globe of fiery Seraphim enclos'd 
With bright emblazonry, and horrent arms. 
Then of their session ended, they bid cry 
With trumpet's regal sound, the great result : 
Towards the four winds four speedy Cherubim 
Put to their mouths the sounding alchymy 
By heralds' voice explain'd ; the hollow abyss 
Heard far and wide, and all the host of hell 
With deaf'ning shout return'd them loud acclaim. 
Thence more at ease their minds, and somewhat rais'd 
By false presumptuous hope, the ranged Powers 
Disband, and wand'ring, each his several way 
Pursues, as inclination or sad choice 
Leads him perplex'd, where he may likeliest find 
Truce to his restless thoughts, and entertain 
The irksome hours, till his great chief return. 
Part on the plain, or in the air sublime, 



BOOK II-l PARADISE tOsT. 63 

Upon the wing, or in swift race contend, 
As at th' Olympian games or Pythian fields ; 
Part curb their fiery steeds, or shun the goal 
With rapid wheels, or fronted brigades form. 
As when to warn proud cities, war appears 
Wag'd in the troubled sky, and armies rush 
To battle in the clouds, before each van 
Prick forth the airy knights, and couch their spears 
Till thickest legions close : with feats of arms 
From either end of heav'n the welkin burns. 
Others with vast Typhosan rage more fell 
Rend up both rocks and hills, and ride the air 
In whirlwind ; hell scarce holds the wild uproar. 
As when Alcides, from QEchalia crown'd 
With conquest, felt th' envenom'd robe, and tore 
Through pain, up by the roots Thessalian pines, 
And Lichas from the top of (Eta threw 
Into th' Euboic sea. Others more mild, 
Retreated in a silent valley, sing 
With notes angelical to many a harp 
Their own heroic deeds and hapless fall 
By doom of battle ; and complain that fate 
Free virtue should inthral to force or chance. 
Their song was partial, but the harmony 
(What could it less when Spirits immortal sing ?) 
Suspended hell, and took with ravishment 
The thronging audience. In discourse more sweet 
(For eloquence the soul, song charms the sense,) 
Others apart sat on a hill retir'd, 
In thoughts more elevate, and reason'd high 
Of providence, foreknowledge, will, and fate, 
Fix'd fate, free will, foreknowledge absolute. 
And found no end, in wand'ring mazes lost. 
Of good and evil much they argued, then 
Of happiness and final misery. 
Passion and apathy, and glory, and shame. 
Vain vnsdom all, and false philosophy : 
Yet with a pleasing sorcery could charm 
Pain for a while, or anguish, and excite 
5* 



54 PARADISE LOST. [bOOIL n. 

Fallacious hope, or arm th' obdured breast 

With stubborn patience as with triple steel. 

Another part in squadrons and gross bands, 

On bold adventure to discover wide 

That dismal world, if any clime perhaps 

Might yield them easier habitation, bend 

Four ways their flying march, along the banks 

Of four infernal rivers, that disgorge 

Into the burning lake their baleful streams ; 

Abhorred Styx, the flood of deadly hate ; 

Sad Acheron of sorrow, black and deep; 

Cocytus nam'd, of lamentation loud 

Heard on the rueful stream : fierce Phlegethon, 

Whose waves of torrent fire inflame with rage. 

Far off from these a slow and silent stream, 

Lethe the river of oblivion rolls 

Her wat'ry labrinth, whereof who drinks. 

Forthwith his former state and being forgets, 

Forgets both joy and grief, pleasure and pain. 

Beyond this flood a frozen continent 

Lies dark and wild, beat with perpetual storms 

Of whirlwind and dire hail, which on firm land 

Thaws not, but gathers heap, and ruin seems 

Of ancient pile ; all else deep snow and ice : 

A gulf profound as that Serbonion bog 

Betwixt Damiata and mount Casius old. 

Where armies v/hole have sunk : the parching air 

Burns frore, and cold performs th' effect of fire. 

Thither by harpy footed furies haul'd 

At certain revolutions all the damn'd 

Are brought ; and feel by turns the bitter change 

Of fierce extremes, extremes by change more fierce, 

From beds of raging fire, to starve in ice ^ 

Their soft ethereal warmth, and there to pine 

Immoveable, infix'd, and frozen round 

Periods of time, thence hurried back to fire. 

They ferry over this Lethean sound 

Both to and fro, their sorrow to augment. 

And wish and struggle, as they pass, to reach 



BOOK 11.] PARADISE LOST. 55 

The tempting stream, with one small drop to lose 

In sweet forgetfulness all pain and wo, 

All in one moment, and so near the brink ; 

But fate withstands, and to oppose th' attempt 

Medusa with Gorgonian terror guards 

The ford, and of itself the water flies 

All taste of living wight, as once it fled 

The lip of Tantalus. Thus roving on 

In confus'd march forlorn, th' advent'rous bands 

With shudd'ring horror pale, and eyes aghast, 

View'd first their lamentable lot, and found 

No rest : through many a dark and dreary vale 

They pass'd, and many a region dolorous, 

O'er many a frozen, many a fiery Alp. 

Rocks, caves, lakes, fens, bogs, dens, and shades of 

death, 
A universe of death, which God by curse 
Created evil, for evil only good. 
Where all life dies, death lives, and nature breeds 
Perverse all monstrous all prodigious things, 
Abominable, unutterable, and worse 
Than fables yet have feign'd, or fear conceiv'd, 
Gorgons, and Hydras, and Chimeraeas dire. 

Meanwhile the Adversary of God and Man, 
Satan, with thoughts infiam'd of highest design, 
Puts on swift wings, and tow'rds the gates of hell 
Explores his solitary flight : sometimes 
He scours the right hand coast, sometimes the left, 
Now shaves with level wing the deep, then soars 
Up to the fiery concave, tow'ring high. 
As when far off at sea a fleet descry'd 
Hangs in the clouds, by equinoctial winds 
Close sailing from Bengala, or the isles 
Of Ternate and Tidore, whence merchants bring 
Their spicy drugs : they on the trading flood 
Through the wide Ethiopian to the Cape 
Ply, stemming nightly tow'rd the pole. So seemed 
Far off the flying Fiend : at last appear 
Hell bounds high reaching to the horrid roof, 



66 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK II. 

And thrice threefold the gates; three folds were brasa 
Three iron, three of adamantine rock 
Impenetrable, empaPd with circling fire,* 
Yet unconsum'd. Before the gates there sat 
On either side a formidable shape ; 
The one seem'd woman to the waist, and fair, 
But ended foul in many a scaly fold 
Voluminous and vast, a serpent arm'd 
With mortal sting : about her middle round 
A cry of hell hounds never ceasing bark'd 
With wide Cerberean mouths full loud, and rung 
A hideous peal ; yet when they list, would creep, 
If ought disturbed their noise into her womb. 
And kennel there, yet there still bark'd and howl'd 
Within, unseen. Far less abhorr'd than these 
Vex'd Sc^dla bathing in the sea that parts 
Calabria from the hoarse Trinacrian shore : 
Nor uglier follow the night-hag, when call'd 
In secret ; riding through the air she comes, 
Lur'd with the smell of infant blood, to dance 
With Lapland witches, while the lab'ring moon 
Eclipses at their charms. The other shape. 
If shape it might be call'd, that shape had none 
Distinguishable, in member, joint, or limb ; 
Or substance might be call'd that shadow seem'd 
For each seem'd either ; black it stood as Night, ^ 
Fierce as ten Furies, terrible as hell, 
And shook a dreadful dart ; what seem'd his head 
The likeness of a kingly crown had on. 
Satan was now at hand, and from his seat 
The monster moving onward, came as fast 
With horrid strides, hell trembled as he strode, 
rh' undaunted Fiend what this might be admir'd, 
Admir'd, not fear'd : God and his Son except. 
Created thing naught valu'd he nor shunn'd ; 
And with disdainful look thus first began : 
Whence and what art thou, execrable shape ! 

♦ " Empal'd with circling fire ;'' paled or hedged in. 



BOOK II.] PARADISE LOST. 67 

That dar'st, though grim and terrible, advance 
Thy miscreated front athwart my way 
To yonder gates ? Through them I m&an to pass, 
That be assur'd, without leave ask'd of thee ; 
Retire, or taste thy folly, and learn by proof. 
Hell-born, not to contend with spirits of heav'n. 

To whom the goblin full of wrath reply'd : 
Art thou that traitor Angel, art thou he 
Who first broke peace in heav'n, and faith till then 
Unbroken, and in proud rebellious arms 
Drew after him the third part of heav'n's sons 
Conjur'd against the Highest, for which both thou 
And they, outcast from God, are here condemn'd 
To waste eternal days in wo and pain ? 
And reckon'st thou thyself with spirits of heav'n, 
Hell-do om'd, and breath'st defiance here, and scorn 
Where I reign king, and to enrage thee more, 
Thy king and lord ? Back to thy punishment, 
False fugitive, and to thy speed add wings, 
Lest with a whip of scorpions I pursue 
Thy ling'ring, or with one stroke of this dart 
Strange horror seize thee, and pangs unfelt before. 

So spake the grisly terror, and in shape. 
So speaking and so threat'ning, grew tenfold 
More dreadful and deform : on th' other side 
Incens'd with indignation, Satan stood 
Unterrify'd, and like a comet burn'd. 
That fires the length of Ophiuchus huge 
In th' arctic sky, and from his horrid hair 
Shakes pestilence and war. Each at the head 
Levell'd his deadly aim ; their fatal hands 
No second stroke intend, and such a frown 
Each cast at th' other, as when two black clouds 
With heav'n's artillery fraught, come rattling on 
Over the Caspian, then stand front to front 
Hovering a space, till winds, the signal blow 
To join their dark encounter in mid air : 
So frown'd the mighty combatants, that hell 
Grew darker at their frown, so match'd they stood ; 



53 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK XL 

For never but once more was either like 
To meet so great a foe : and now great deeds 
Had been achiev'd, whereof all hell had rung, 
Had not the snaky sorceress that sat 
Fast by hell gate, and kept the fatal key, 
Kis'n, and with hideous outcry rush'd between. 
O Father, what intends thy hand, she cry'd, 
Against thy only son ? What fury, O Son, 
Possesses thee to bend that mortal dart 
Against thy Father's head ? and know'st for whom ? 
For him who sits above and laughs the while 
At thee ordain'd his drudge, to execute 
Whate'er his wrath, which he calls justice, bids : 
His wrath, which one day will destroy ye both. 
She spake, and at her words the hellish pest 
Forbore ; then these, to her, Satan return'd : 

So strange thy outcry, and thy words, so strange 
Thou interposest, that my sudden hand 
Prevented, spares to tell thee yet by deeds 
What it intends ; till first I know of thee, 
What thing thou art, thus double form'd and why 
In this infernal vale first met thou call'st 
Me Father, and that phantasm call'st my son ; 
T know thee not, nor ever saw till now 
Sight more detestable than him and thee. 

T' whom thus the port'ress of hell gate reply'd : 
Hast thou forgot me then, and do I seem 
Now in thine eye so foul ? once deem'd so fair 
In heav'n, when at th' assembly, and in sight 
Of all the Seraphim with thee combin'd 
In bold conspiracy 'gainst heay'n's King, 
All on a sudden, miserable pain 
Surpriz'd thee, dim thine eyes, and dizzy swum 
In darkness, while thy head flames thick and fast 
Threw forth, till on the left side opening wide, 
Likest to thee in shape and count'nance bright, 
Then shining heav'nly fair, a goddess arm'd 
Out of thy head I sprung; amazement seiz'd 
All th' host of heav'n ; back they recoil'd afraid 



BOOK II.] PARADISE LOST. 69 

At first, and call'd me Sin, and for a sign 

Portentous held me ; but familiar grown, 

I pleas'd, and with attractive graces won 

The most averse ; thee chiefly, who full oft 

Thyself in me thy perfect image viewing, 

Becam'st enamour'd, and such joy thou took'st 

With me in secret, that my womb conceiv'd 

A growing burden. Meanwhile war arose 

And fields were fought in heav'n ; wherein remain'd 

(For what could else ?) to our almighty foe 

Clear victory, to our part loss and rout 

Through all the empyrean : down they fell 

Into this deep, and in the gen'ral fall 

I also ; at which time this pow'rful key 

Driv'n headlong from the pitch of Heav'n, down 

Into my hand was giv'n, with charge to keep 

These gates for ever shut, which none can pass 

Without my opening. Pensive here I sat 

Alone, but long I sat not, till my womb 

Pregnant by thee, and now excessive grown, 

Prodigious motion felt and rueful throes. 

At last this odious offspring whom thou seest 

Thine own begotton, breaking violent way. 

Tore through my entrails, that with fear and pain 

Distorted, all my nether shape thus grew 

Transform'd : but he my inbred enemy 

Forth issued, brandishing his fatal dart 

Made to destroy : I fled, and cry'd out Death ! 

Hell trembled at the hideous name, an 1 sigh'd 

From all her caves, and back resounded Death ! 

I fled, but he pursued, (though more, it seems, 

Inflam'd with lust than rage) and swifter far, 

Me overtook his mother all dismay'd, 

And in embraces forcible and foul 

Engend'ring with me, of that rape begot 

These yelling monsters, that with ceaseless cry 

Surround me as thou saw'st, hourly conceiv'd 

And hourly born, with sorrow infinite 

To me ; for when they list, into the womb 



60 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK II. 

That bred them, they return, and howl and gnaw 
My bowels, their repast ; then bursting forth 
Afresh with conscious terrors vex me round, 
That rest or intermission none I find. 
Before mine eyes in opposition sits 
Grim Death my son and foe, who sets them on, 
And me his parent would full soon devour 
For want of other prey, but that he knows 
His end with mine involv'd ; and knows that I 
Should prove a bitter morsel, and his bane, 
Whenever that shall be ; so Fate pronounc'd 
But thou, Father, I forewarn thee, shun 
His deadly arrow ; neither vainly hope 
To be invulnerable in those bright arms, 
Though temper'd heav'nly, for that mortal dint, 
Save he who reigns above, none can resist. 

She finish'd, and the subtle Fiend his lore 
Soon learn'd, now milder, and thus answer'd smooth: 
Dear daughter, since thou claim'st me for thy sire, 
And my fair son here show'st me, the dear pledge 
Of dalliance had with thee in heav'n, and joys 
Then sweet, now sad to mention, through dire change 
Befall'n us unforseen, unthought of; know 
I come no enemy, but to set free 
From out this dark and dismal house of pain 
Both him and thee, and all the heav'nly host 
Of spirits, that in our just pretences arm'd, 
Fell with us from on high : from them I go 
This uncouth errand sole, and one for all 
Myself expose, with lonely steps to tread 
Th' unfounded deep, and through the void immfenK; 
To search with wand'ring quest a place foretold 

hould be, and by concurring signs, ere now 
Created vast and round, a place of bliss 
In the purlieus of heav'n, and therein plac'd 
A race of upstart creatures, to supply 
Perhaps our vacant room, though more remov'd 
Lest heav'n surcharg'd with potent multitude 
Might hap to move new broils ; be this or aught 



BOOK II.] PARADISE LOST. 61 

Than this more secret now design 'd, I haste 
To know, and this once known, shall soon return, 
And bring ye to the place where Thou and Death 
Shall dwell at ease, and up and down unseen 
Wing silently the buxom air,^ embalm'd 
With odours ; there ye shall be fed and fiU'd 
Immeasurably, all things shall be your prey. 

He ceas*d, for both seem'd highly pleas'd, and Death 
Grinn'd horrible a ghastly smile, to hear 
His famine should be fill'd, and bless'd his maw 
Destin'd to that good hour: no less rejoic'd 
His mother bad, and thus bespake her sire. 

The key of this infernal pit by due 
And by command of Heav'n's all-pow'rful King 
I keep, by him forbidden to unlock 
These admantine gates ; against all force 
Death ready stands to interpose his dart, 
Fearless to be o'ermatch'd by living might. 
But what owe I to his commands above 
AVho hates me, and hath thither thrust me down 
Into this gloom of Tartarus profound, 
To sit in hateful office here confin'd, 
Inhabitant of heav'n, and heav'nly born, 
Here in perpetual agony and pain, 
With terrors and with clamours compass'd round 
Of mine own brood, that on my bowels feed ; 
Thou art my father, thou my author, thou 
My being gav'st me ; whom should I obey 
But thee, whom follow 1 thou wilt bring me soon 
To that new world of light and bliss, among 
The gods who live at ease, where I shall reign 
At thy right hand voluptuous, as beseems 
Thy daughter and thy darling without end. 

Thus saying, from her side the fatal key, 
Sad instrument of all our wo, she took ; 
And tow'rds the gate rolling her bestial train, 
Forthwith the huge portcullis high up drew, 



Buxom air :" yielding. 



62 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK U 

Which but herself, not all the Stygian Powr's 

Could once have mov'd ; then in the key-hole turns 

Th' intricate wards, and every bolt and bar 

Of massy iron or solid rock with ease 

Unfastens : on a sudden, open fly 

With impetuous recoil and jarring sound 

Th' infernal doors, and on their hinges grate 

Harsh thunder, that the lowest bottom shook 

Of Erebus. She open'd, but to shut 

Excell'd her pow'r; the gates wide open stood, 

That with extended wings a banner'd host 

Under spread ensigns marching might pass through 

With horse and chariots rank'd in loose array ; 

So wide they stood and like a furnace mouth 

Cast forth redounding smoke and ruddy flame^ 

Before their eyes in sudden view appear 

The secrets of the hoary deep, a dark 

Illimitable ocean, without bound. 

Without dimension, where length, breadth, and height, 

And time and place are lost ; where eldest Night 

And Chaos, ancestors of Nature, hold 

Eternal anarchy, amidst the noise 

Of endless wars, and by confusion stand. 

For hot, cold, moist or dry, four champions fierce. 

Strive here for mastery, and to battle bring 

Their embryon atoms ; they round the flag 

Of each his faction, in their several clans, 

Light arm'd, or heavy, sharp, smooth, swift or slo\% 

Swarm populous, unnumber'd as the sands 

Of Barca or Cyrene's torrid soil. 

Levied to side with warring winds, and poise 

Their lighter wings. To whom these most adhere. 

He rules a moment; Chaos umpire sits. 

And by decision more embroils the fray 

By which he reigns : next him high arbiter 

Chance governs all. Into this wild abyss 

The womb of Nature, and perhaps her grave, 

Of neither sea, nor shore, nor air, nor fire, 

But all these in their pregnant causes mix'd 



BOOK II.] PARADISE LOST. 63 

Confus'dly, and which thus must ever fight, 

Unless th' ahnighty Maker them ordain 

His dark materials to create more worlds ; 

Into this wild ab3'ss the war}^ Fiend 

Stood on the brink of hell and look'd awhile, 

Pond'ring his voyage ; for no narrow frith 

He had to cross. Nor was his ear less peal'd 

With noises loud and ruinous (to compare 

Great things with small) than when Bellona storms. 

With all her battering engines bent to raze 

Some capital city ; or less than if this frame 

Of heav'n were falling, and these elements 

In mutiny had from her axle torn 

The steadfast earth. At last his sail-broad vans 

He spreads for flight, and in the surging smoke 

Uplifted spurns the ground ; thence many a league, 

As in a cloudy chair, ascending rides 

Audacious ; but that seat soon failing, meets 

A vast vacuity : all unawares 

Fluttering his pennons vain, plumb down he drops 

Ten thousand fathom deep, and to this hour 

Down had been falling, had not by ill chance 

The strong rebuff of some tumultuous cloud, 

Instinct with fire and nitre, hurried him • 

As many miles aloft ; that fury stay'd, 

Quench'd in a boggy Syrtis, neither sea, 

Nor good dry land ; nigh founder'd on he fares, 

Treading the crude consistence, half on foot, 

Half flying ; behoves him now both oar and sail. 

As when a griphon through the wilderness 

With winged course, o'er hill or moory dale. 

Pursues the Arimaspian, who by stealth 

Had from his wakeful custody purloin 'd 

The guarded gold : so eagerly the Fiend 

O'er bog, or steep, thro' strait, rough, dense, or rare, 

With head, hands, wings, or feet, pursues his way, 

And swims, or sinks, or wades, or creeps, or flies : 

At length a universal hubbub wild 

Of stunning sounds and voices all confus'd, 



64 PAJSADISE LOST. [BOOK U 

Borne through the hollow dark, assaults his ear 

With loudest vehemence : thither he plies, 

Undaunted to meet there whatever Pow'r 

Or Spirit of the nethermost abyss 

Might in that noise reside, of whom to ask 

Which way the nearest coast of darkness lies 

Bord'ring on light ; when straight behold the throne 

Of Chaos, and his dark pavilion spread 

Wide on the wasteful deep ; with him enthron'd 

Sat sable-vested Night, eldest of things. 

The consort of his reign ; and by them stood 

Orcus and Ades, and the dreaded name 

Of Demogorgon ; Rumour next and Chance, 

And Tumult and Confusion all embroil 'd, 

And Discord with a thousand various mouths. 

T' whom Satan turning boldly, thus : ye Pow'rs 
And Spirits of this nethermost abyss, 
Chaos and ancient Night, I come no spy, 
With purpose to explore or to disturb 
The secrets of your realm, but by constraint 
Wand'ring this darksome desert, as my way 
Lies through your spacious empire up to light, 
Alone, and without guide, half lost I seek 
^Vhat readiest path leads where your gloomy bounda 
Confine with heav'n ; or if some other place, 
From your dominion won, th' ethereal king 
Possesses lately, thither to arrive 
I travel this profound : direct my course ; 
Directed no mean recompence it brings 
To your behoof, if I that region lost. 
All usurpation thence expell'd, reduce 
To her original darkness and your sway 
(Which is my present journey) and once more 
Erect the standard there of ancient Night ; 
Vours be the advantage all, mine the revenge. 

Thus Satan ; and him thus the Anarch old, 
With falt'ring speech and visage incompos'd, 
Answer'd ; I know thee, stranger, who thou art, 
That mighty leading Angel, who of late 



BOOK II.] PARADISE LOST. 65 

Made head against heav'n's King, though overthrown 
I saw and heard, for such a num'rous host 
Fled not in silence through the frighted deep 
With ruin upon ruin, rout on rout, 
Confusion worse confounded : and heav'n's gates 
Pour'd out by millions her victorious bands 
Pursuing. I upon my frontiers here 
Keep residence, if all I can will serve 
That little which is left so to defend, 
Encroach'd on still through your intestine broils 
Weak'ning the sceptre of old Night : first hell 
Your dungeon stretching far and wide beneath; 
Now lately heav'n and earth another world, 
Hung x)'er my realm, link'd in a golden chain 
To that side heav'n from whence your legions fell 
If that way be your walk, you have not far ; 
So much the nearer danger ; go and speed ; 
Havoc and spoil and ruin are my gain. 

He ceas'd ; and Satan stay'd not to reply, 
But glad that now his sea should find a shore, 
With fresh alacrity and force renew 'd 
Springs upward like a pyramid of fire 
Into the wild expanse, and through the shock 
Of fighting elements, on all sides round • 

Environ'd wins his way : harder beset 
And more endanger'd, that when Argo pass'd 
Through Bosporus betwixt the justling rocks * 
Or when Ulysses on the larboard shunn'd 
Charybdis, and by th' other whirlpool steer'd. 
So he with difficulty and labour hard 
Moved on, with difficulty and labour he ; 
But he once past, soon after when man fell, 
Strange alteration ! Sin and Death amain 
Following his track, such was the will of heav*n 
Pav'd after him a broad and beaten way 
Over the dark abyss, whose boiling gulf 
Tamely endur'd a bridge of wond'rous length 
From hell continu'd reaching th' utmost orb 
Of this frail world ; by which the spirits perverse 



66 PARADISE LOST. [BOOK U. 

With easy intercourse pass to and fro 
To tempt or punish mortals, except whom 
God and good angels guard by special grace. 
But now at last the sacred influence 
Of light appears, and from the walls of heav'n 
Shoots far into the bosom of dim night 
A glimmering dawn ; here Nature first begins 
Her farthest verge, and Chaos to retire 
As from her outmost works a broken foe 
With tumult less, and with less hostile din, 
That Satan with less toil, and now with ease 
Wafts on the calmer wave by dubious light, 
And like a weather-beaten vessel holds 
Gladly the port, though shrouds and tackle torn ; 
Or in the emptier waste, resembling air, 
Weighs his spread wings, at leisure to behold 
Far off th' empyreal heav'n, extended wide 
In circuit, undetermin'd square or round, 
With opal tow'rs and battlements adorn'd 
Of living sapphire, once his native seat ; 
And fast by, hanging in a golden chain 
This pendent world, in bigness as a star 
Of smallest magnitude close by the moon. 
Thither full fraught with mischievous revenge 
Accurs'd, and in a cursed hour he hies. 



THE END OF THE SECOND BOOK. 



THE 

THIRD BOOK 

OF 

PARADISE LOST. 



THE ARGUMENT. 



God sitting on his throne sees Satan flying towards this worlJ, then 
newly created ; shows him to the Son who sat at his right hand ; 
foretells the success of Satan in perverting mankind ; clears his 
own justice and wisdom from all imputation, having created Man 
free and able enough to have withstood his tempter ; yet declares 
his purpose of grace towards him^ in regard he fell not' of his own 
malice, as did Satan, but by him seduced. The Son of God ren- 
ders praises to his Father for the manifestation »f his gracious 
purpose towards Man ; but God again declares, that grace cannot 
be extended towards Man without the satisfaction of divine 
justice; Man hath offended the majesty of God by aspiring to 
godhead, and, therefore, with all his progeny devoted to death 
must die, unless some one can be found sufficient to answer lb? 
his oiTence, and undergo his punishment. The Son of God 
freely offers himself a ransom for Man : the Father accepts hinj, 
ordains his incarnation, pronounces his exaltation above all name« 
in Heaven and Earth ; commands all the Angels to adore him } 
they obey, and hymning to their harps in full choir, celcbr.ite the 
Father and the Son, Meanwhile Satan alights upon the bare 
convex of this world's outermost orb ; where wandering, he first 
finds a place, since called the Limbo of Vanity ; what persona 
and things fly up thither ; thence comes to the gate of Heaven, 
described ascending by stairs, and the waters above the firma- 
ment that flow about it ; his passage thence to the orb of the 
Bun ; he finds there Uriel, the regent of that orb, but first chan 
ges himself into the shape of a meaner Angel ; and pretending 
a zealous desire to behold the new creation and Man whom God 
had placed here, inquires of him the place of his habitation, and 
is directed : alights first on mount Niphates. 



PARADISE LOST 



BOOK III. 



Hail holy Light, offspring of heav*n, first-born, 

Or of th' Eternal co-eternal beam; 

May I express thee unblam'd ? since God is light, 

And never but in unapproached light 

Dwelt from eternity, dwelt then in thee, 

Bright effluence of bright essence increate. 

Or hear'st thou rather pure ethereal stream, 

Whose fountain who shall tell ? before the sun, 

Before the heav'ns thou wert, and at the voice 

Of God, as with a mantle didst invest 

The rising world of waters dark and deep, 

Won from the void and formless infinite. 

Thee I revisit now with bolder wing, 

Escap'd the Stygian pool, though long detain'd 

In that obscure sojourn, while in my flight 

Through utter and through middle darkness borne 

With other notes than to th' Orphean lyre 

I sung of Chaos and eternal Night, 

Taught by the heav'nly Muse to venture down 

The dark descent, and up to re-ascend. 

Though hard and rare ; thee I revisit safe, 

And feel thy sovereign vital lamp ; but thou 

Revisit'st not these eyes, that roll in vain 

To find thy piercing ray, and find no dawn ; 

So thick a drop serene hath quench'd their orbs, 

Or dim suffusion veil'd. Yet not the more 



70 rARADlSE LOST. [boOK III. 

Cease I to wander, where the Muses haunt 

Clear spring, or shady grove, or sunny hill 

Smit with the love of sacred song; but chief 

Thee Sion, and the flow'ry brooks beneath, 

That wash thy hallow'd feet, and warbling flow 

Nightly I visit ; nor sometimes forget 

ri'Ose other two equall'd with me in fate, 

So were I equall'd with them in renown, 

Blind Thamyris and blind Maeonides, 

And Tiresias and Phineus prophets old : 

Then feed on thoughts, that voluntary move 

Harmonious numbers ; as the wakeful bird 

Sings darkling, and in shadiest covert hid. 

Tunes her nocturnal note. Thus with the year 

Seasons return, but not to me returns 

Day, or the sweet approach of ev'n or morn. 

Or sight of vernal bloom, or summer's rose, 

Or flocks, or herds, or human face divine ; 

But cloud instead, and ever-during dark 

Surrounds me, from the cheerful ways of men 

Cut off, and for the book of knowledge fair 

Presented with a universal blank 

Of nature's works, to me expung'd and raz'd, 

And wisdom at one entrance quite shut out. 

So much the rather thou, celestial Light, 

Shine inward, and the mind through all her pow'ra 

Irradiate, there plant eyes, all mist from thence 

Purge and disperse, that I may see and tell 

Of things invisible to mortal sight. 

Now had th' almighty Father from above. 
From the pure empyrean where he sits 
High throned above all height, bent down his eye, 
His own works and their works at once to view ; 
About him all the Sanctities of heav'n 
Stood thick as stars, and from his sight receiv'd 
Beatitude past utterance ; on his right 
The radiant image of his glory sat, 
His only Son ; on earth he first beheld 
Our two first parents, yet the only two 



BOOK 111. J PARADISE LOST. 71 

Of mankind, in the happy garden plac'd 

Keaping immortal fruits of joy and love, 

Uninterrupted joy, unrivall'd love 

In blissful solitude; he then survey'd 

Hell and the gulf between, and Satan there 

Coasting the wall of heav'n on this side Night 

In the dun air sublime, and ready now 

To stoop with wearied wings and Avilling feet 

On the bare outside of this world, that seem'd 

Firm land imbosom'd, without firmament, 

Uncertain which, in ocean or in air. 

Him God beholding from his prospect high. 

Wherein past, present, future he beholds, 

Thus to his only Son foreseeing spake : 

Only begotten Son, seest thou what rage 
Transports our Adversary ? Avhom no bounds 
Prescrib'd, no bars of hell, nor all the chains 
Heap'd on him there, nor yet the main abyss 
"Wide interrupt can hold ; so bent he seems 
On desperate revenge, that shall redound 
Upon his own rebellious head. And now 
Through all restraint broke loose he wings his way 
Not far oft' heav'n, in the precints of light, 
Directly tow'rds the new created world, 
And man there plac'd, with purpose to assay 
If him by force he can destroy, or worse, 
By some false guile pervert ; and shall pervert, 
For man will hearken to his glozing lies, 
And easily transgress the sole command, 
Sole pledge of his obedience : so will fall, 
He and his faithless progeny : Whose fault ? 
Whose but his own ? Ingrate, he had of me 
All he could have ; I made him just and right, 
Sufficient to have stood, thoug-h free to fall. 
Such I created all th' ethereal pov/'rs 
And spirits, both them who stood, and them who fail'd 
Freely they stood who stood, and fell who fell 
Not free, what proof could they have giv'n sincere 
Df true allegiance, constant faith or love, 



72 FJiRADISE LOST. [bOOK ID 

Where only what they needs must do appear'd, 

Not what they would ? what praise could they receive ' 

What pleasure I from such obedience paid, 

When will and reason (reason also is choice) 

Useless and vain, of freedom both despoil'd, 

Made passive both, had serv'd necessity, 

Not me ? They therefore as to right belong'd, 

So were created, nor can justly accuse 

Their Maker, or their making, or their fate, 

As if predestination overrul'd 

Their will, dispos'd by absolute decree 

Or high foreknowledge ; they themselves decreed 

Their own revolt, not I ; if I foreknew. 

Foreknowledge had no influence on their fault, 

Which had no less prov'd certain unforeknown. 

So without least impulse or shadow of fate 

Or ought by me immutably foreseen. 

They trespass, authors to themselves in all 

Both what they judge and what they choose ; for so 

I form'd them free, and free they must remain. 

Till they inthral themselves ; I else must change 

Their nature, and revoke the high decree 

"Unchangeable, eternal, which ordain'd 

Their freedom, they themselves ordain'd their fall , 

The first sort by their own suggestion fell. 

Self-tempted, self-deprav'd : Man falls, deceiv'd 

By th' other first : Man therefore shall find grace, 

The other none : in mercy and justice both. 

Through heav'n and earth, so shall my glory excel: 

But mercy first and last shall brightest shine. 

Thus while God spake, ambrosial fragrance fili'd 
All heav'n, and in the bless'd Spirits elect 
Sense of new joy ineffable diffus'd : 
Beyond compare the Son of God was seen 
Most glorious ; in him all his Father shone 
Substantially express'd, and in his face 
Divine compassion visibly appear'd. 
Love without end and without measure grace, 
Which uttering thus he to his Father spake : 



s^- 



BOOK III.] PARADISE LOST. 73 

O Father, gracious was that word which clos'd 
Thy sov'reign sentence, that Man should find grace ; 
For which both heav'n and earth shall high extol 
Thy praises, with th' innumerable sound 
Of hymns and sacred songs, wherewith thy throne 
Encompass'd shall resound thee ever blest. 
For should Man finally be lost, should Man, 
Thy creature late so lov'd, thy youngest son, 
Fall circumvented thus by fraud, though join'd 
With his own folly ? that be from thee far, 
That far be from thee, Father, who art judge 
Of all ihings made, and judgest only right. 
Or shall the Adversary thus obtain 
His end, and frustrate thine ? shall he fulfil 
Bis malice, and thy goodness bring to naught, 
Or proud return, though to his heavier doom. 
Yet with revenge accomplish'd, and to hell 
Draw after him the whole race of mankind 
By him corrupted ? or wilt thou thyself 
Abolish thy creation, and unmake 
For him what for thy glory thou hast made? 
So should thy goodness and thy greatness both 
Be question'd, and blasphem'd without defence. 

To whom the great Creator thus reply'd : 
Son, in whom my soul hath chief delight, 
Son of my bosom. Son who art alone 
My word, my wisdom, and effectual might, 
All hast thou spoken as my thoughts are, all 
As my eternal purpose hath decreed : 
Man shall not quite be lost, but sav'd who will, 
Yet not of will in him, but grace in me 
Freely vouchsaf'd; once more I will renew 
His lapsed pow'rs, though forfeit, and inthrall'd 
By sin, to foul exorbitant desires ; 
Upheld by me yet once more he shall stand 
On even ground against his mortal foe. 
By me upheld, that he may know how frail 
His fall'n condition is, and to me owe 
All his deliverance ; and to none but me. 
7 



74 PARADISE LOST, [boOK IlL 

Some I have chosen of peculiar grace 
Elect above the rest ; so is my will : 
The rest shall hear me call, and oft be warn'd 
Their sinful state, and to appease betimes 
Th' incensed Deity, while offer'd grace 
.«nvitcs ; for I will clear their senses dark, 
What may suffice, and soften stony hearts 
To pray, repent, and bring obedience due. 
To pray'r, repentance, and obed'ence due, 
Though but endeavour'd with sincere intent, 
Mine ear shall not be slow, mine eye not shut. 
And I will place within them as a guide 
My umpire, conscience, whom if they will hear, 
Light after light well us'd they shall attain, 
And to the end persisting, safe arrive. 
This my long sufferance and my day of grace 
They who neglect and scorn, shall never taste ; 
But hard be harden'd, blind be blinded more, 
That they may stumble on, and deeper fall ; 
And none but such from mercy 1 exclude. 
But yet all is not done ; Man disobeying, 
Disloyal breaks his fealty, and sins 
Against the high supremacy of heaven, 
Afiecting godhead, and so losing all, 
To expiate his treason hath naught left, 
But to destruction sacred and devote, 
He with his whole posterity must die, 
Die he, or justice must ; unless for him 
Some other able, and as willing, pay 
The rigid satisfaction, death for death. 
Say heav'nly Pow'rs where shall we find such love ? 
Which of ye will be mortal to redeem 
lan's mortal crime, and just th' unjust to save ? 
Dwell's in all heaven charity so dear ? 

He ask'd, but all the heav'nly choir stood mute, 
And silence was in heav'n; on man's behalf 
Patron or intercessor none appear'd. 
Much less that durst upon his own head draw 
The deadly forfeiture, and ransom set. 



BOOK III.] PARADISE LOST. 75 

And now without redemption all mankind 
Must have been lost, adjudg'-d to Death and hell 
By doom severe, had not the Son of God, 
In whom the fulness dwells of love divine, 
His dearest mediation thus renew'd. 
Father thy word is past, man shall find grace ; 
And shall grace not find means, that finds her way, 
The speediest of thy winged messengers, 
To visit all thy creatures, and to all 
Comes unprevented, unimplor'd, unsought? 
Happy for man, so coming; he her aid 
Can never seek, once dead in sins and lost ; 
Atonement for himself or offering meet ; 
Indebted and undone, hath none to bring ; 
Behold me then ; me for him, life for life 
I offer ; on me let thine anger fall ; 
Account me Man ; I for his sake will leave 
Thy bosom, and this glory next to thee 
Freely put off, and for him lastly die 
Well pleased ; on me let Death wreck all his rage • 
Under his gloomy pow'r I shall not long 
Lie vanquish'd ; thou hast giv'n me to possess 
Life in myself for ever ; by thee I live. 
Though now to Death I yield, and am his due 
All that of me can die ; yet that debt paid. 
Thou wilt not leave me in the loathsome grave 
His prey, nor suffer my unspotted soul 
For ever with corruption there to dwell ; 
But I shall rise victorious, and subdue 
My vanquisher, spoil'd of his vaunted spoil ; 
Death his death's wound shall then receive, and &loop 
Inglorious, of his mortal sting disarm'd. 
I through the ample air in triumph high 
Shall lead hell captive, maugre hell, and show 
The Pow'rs of darkness bound. Thou at the sight 
Pleas'd out of heaven shall look down and smile, 
While by thee raisM I ruin all my foes, 
Death last, and with his carcass glut the grave* 
Then with the multitude of ray redeem'd 
(3* 



76 PARADISE LOST. [liOOg III. 

Shall enter heav'n long absent, and return, 
Father, to see thy face wherein no cloud 
Of anger shall remain, but peace assur'd 
And reconcilement ; wrath shall be no more 
Thenceforth, but in thy presence joy entire. 

His words here ended, but his meek aspect 
Silent yet spake, and breath 'd immortal love 
To mortal men, above which only shone 
Filial obedience : as a sacrifice 
Glad to be offer'd he attends the will 
Of his great Father. Admiration seiz'd 
All heav'n, what this might mean, and whither tend 
Wond'ring : but soon th' Almighty thus reply'd 

O thou in heav'n and earth the only peace 
Found out for mankind under wrath, O thou 
My sole complacence ! well thou know'st how dear 
To me are all thy works, nor man the least, 
Though last created ; that for him I spare 
Thee from my bosom and right hand, to save 
By losing thee awhile, the whole race lost. 
Thou therefore, whom thou only canst redeem, 
Their nature also to thy nature join ; 
And be thyself man among men on earth, 
Made flesh, when time shall be, of virgin seed. 
By wond'rous birth : be thou in Adam's room 
The head of all mankind, though Adam's son. 
As in him perish all men, so in thee, 
As from a second root, shall be restor'd 
As many as are restor'd, without thee none. 
His crime makes guilty all his sons ; thy merit 
Imputed shall absolve them who renounce 
Their own both righteous and unrighteous deeds, 
And live in thee transplanted, and from thee 
Receive new life. So man, as is most just, 
Shall satisfy for man, be judg'd and die, 
And dying rise, and rising with him raise 
His brethren, ransora'd with his own de^l Vfe 
So heav'nly love shall outdo hellish hate, 
Giving to death, and dying to redeem^ 



BOOK 1'H.J PARADISE LOST. 77 

So Nearly to redeem what hellish hate 
So easily destro3^'d and still destroys 
In those who, when they may, accept not grace. 
Nor shalt thou, by descending to assume 
Man's nature, lessen or degrade thine own, 
Because thou hast, though thron'd in highest bliss 
Equal to God, and eqiially enjoying 
Godlike fruitien, quitted all, to save 
A world from utter loss, and hast been found 
By merit more than birthright Son of God, 
Found worthiest to he so by being good, 
Faar more than great or high : because in thee 
Love hath abounded more than glory abounds, 
Therefore thy humiliation shall exalt 
With thee thy manhood also to this throne ; 
Here shalt thou sit incarnate, here shtilt reign 
Both God and man. Son both of God and man, 
Anointed universa^l King : all power 
I give thee ; reign for ever, and assume 
Thy merits : under thee as head supreme. 
Thrones, Princedoms, Pow'rs, Dominions I reduce : 
All knees io thee shall bow, of them that bide 
In heav'n, or earth, or under earth in hell. 
When thou attended gloriously from heav'n 
Shalt in the sky appear, and from thee send 
Thy summoning Arch- Angels to proclaim 
Thy dread tribunal ; forthwith from all winds 
The living, and forthwith the cited dead 
Of all past ages, to the general doom 
Shall hasten, such a peal shall rouse their sleep. 
Then all thy saints assembled, thou shalt judge 
Bad men and Angels : they arraign'd shall sink 
Beneath thy sentence ; hell, her numbers full. 
Thenceforth shall be for ever shut. Meanwhile 
The world shall burn, and from her ashes spring 
New heav'n and earth, wherein the just shall dwell, 
And after all their tribulations long 
See golden days, fruitful of golden deeds, 
With joy and love triumphing, and fair truth. 
7* 



78 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK UL 

Then thou thy regal sceptre shall lay by, 

For regal sceptre then no more shall need, 

God shall be all in all. But all ye gods, 

Adore him, who to compass all this dies ! 

Adore the Son, and honour him as me. 

No sooner had th' Almighty ceas'd, but all 

The multitude of Angels with a shout 

Loud as from nixinbers without number, sweet 

As from blest voices uttering joy, heav'n rung 

With jubilee, and loud hosannas fill'd 

Th' eternal regions : lowly reverent 

Tow'rds either throne they bow, and to the ground 

With solemn adoration down they cast 

Their crowns inwove with amaranth and gold ; 

Immortal amaranth, a flow'r which once 

In Paradise, fast by the tree of life, 

Began to bloom ; but soon for Man's offence 

To heav'n remov'd, where first it grew, there grows, 

And flow'rs aloft shading the fount of life. 

And where the river of bliss through midst of heav*n 

Rolls o'er Elysian flow'rs her amber stream ; 

With these that never fade, the Spirits elect 

Bind their resplendent locks inwreath'd with beams, 

Now in loose garlands thick throAvn off, the bright 

Pavement, that like a sea of jasper shone, 

Im purpled with celestial roses smil'd. 

Then crowned again, their golden harps they took, 

Harps ever tun'd, that glittering by their side 

Like quivers hung, and with preamble sweet 

Of charming symphony they introduce 

Their sacred song, and waken raptures high ; 

No voice exempt, no voice but well could join 

Melodious part, such concord is in heav'n. 

Thee, Father, first they sung Omnipotent, 
Immutable, Immortal, Infinite, 
Eternal King; the Author of all being. 
Fountain of light, thyself invisible 
Amidst the glorious brightness where thou sit*st 
Thron'd inaccessible, but when thou shad'st 



BOOK III.] PARADISE LOST. 79 

The full blaze of thy beams, and through a cloud 
Drawn round about thee like a radiant shrine, 
Dark with excessive bright thy skirts appear, 
Yet dazzle heav'n that brightest seraphim 
Approach not, but with both wings veil their eyes. 
riiee next they sang of all creation first, 
Begotten Son, divine similitude. 
In whose conspicuous count'nance, without cloud 
Made visible, th' Almighty Father shines. 
Whom else no creature can behold ; on thee 
Impress'd th' effulgence of his glory abides, 
Transfus'd on thee his ample spirit rests. 
He heav'n of heav'ns and all the pow'rs therein 
By thee created, and by thee threw down 
Th' aspiring dominations : thou that day 
Thy Father's dreadful thunder didst not spare, 
Nor stop thy flaming chariot wheels that shook 
Heav'ns everlasting frame while o'er the necks 
Thou drov'st of warring angels disarray'd. 
Back from pursuit thy pow'rs with loud acclaim 
Thee only extoll'd Son of thy Father's might, 
To execute fierce vengeance on his foes, 
Not so on man : him through their malice fall'n, 
. Father of mercy and grace, thou didst not doom 
So strictly, but much more to pity incline : 
No sooner did thy dear and only Son 
Perceive thee purpos'd not to doom frail man 
So strictly, but much more to pity inclin'd. 
He to appease thy wrath, and end the strife 
Of mercy and justice in thy face discern'd, 
Regardless of the bliss wherein he sat 
Second to thee, offer'd himself to die 
For man's offence. O unexampled love. 
Love no where to be found less than divine ! 
Hail Son of God, Saviour of men thy name 
Shall be the copious matter of my song 
Henceforth, and never shall my harp thy praise 
Forget, nor from thy Father's praise disjoin. 
Thus they in heav'n, above the starry snhere, 



30 PARADISE LOST. [BOOK 111 

Their happy hours in joy and hymning spent. 

Meanwhile upon the firm opacous globe 

Of this round world, whose first convex divides 

The luminous inferior orbs enclos'd 

From Chaos and th' inroad of Darkness old, 

Satan alighted walks : a globe far ofli' 

It seem'd, now seems a boundless continent ; 

Dark, waste, and wild, under the frown of Night, 

Starless expos'd, and ever-threat'ning storms 

Of Chaos blust'ring round, inclement sky, 

Save on that side which from the wall of heav'n, 

Though distant far, some small reflection gains 

Of glimm'ring air, less vex'd with tempest loud; 

Here walk'd the fiend at large in spacious field. 

As when a vulture on Imaus bred. 

Whose snowy ridge the roving Tartar bounds. 

Dislodging from a region scarce of prey 

To gorge the flesh of laifibs, or yeanling kids, 

On hills where flocks are fed, flies tow'rd the springs 

Of Ganges or Hydaspes, Indian streams ; 

But in his way lights on the barren plains 

Of Sericana, where Chinesus drive 

With sails and wind their cany wagons light : 

So on this windy sea of land, the fiend • 

Walk'd up and down alone, bent on his prey ; 

Alone, for other creature in this place 

Living or lifeless to be found was none ; 

None yet, but store hereafter from the earth 

Up hither like aerial vapours flew 

Of all things transitory and vain, when sin 

With vanity had fill'd the works of men ; 

Both all things vain, and all who in vain things 

Built their fond hopes of glory or lasting fame, 

Or happiness in this or th' other life : 

All who have their reward on earth, the fruits 

Of painful superstition and blind zeal, 

Naught seeking but the praise of men, here find 

Fit retribution, empty as their deeds ; 

All th' unaccomplish'd works of Nature's hand, 



BOOKni.] PARADISE LOST. 81 

Abortive, monstrous, or unkindly mix'd 

Dissolv'd on earth, fleet hither, and in vain, 

Till final dissolution, wander here, 

Not in the neighb'ring- moon, as some have dream'd ' 

Those argent fields more likely habitants. 

Translated saints, or middle spirits hold 

Betwixt th' angelical and human kind. 

Hither of ill-join'd sons and daughters born 

First from the ancient world those giants came 

With many a vain exploit, though then renown'd 

The builders next of Babel on the plain 

Of Sennaar, and still with vain design 

New Babels, had they wherewithal, would build : 

Others came single ; he who to be deem'd 

A God, leap'd fondly into JEtna. flames, 

Empedoclcs ; and he who to enjoy 

Plato's Elysium, leap'd into the sea, 

Cleombrotus : and many more too long, 

Embryos and idiots, eremites and friars. 

White, black, and grey, with all their trumpery. 

Here pilgrims roam, that stray'd so far to seek 

In Golgotha him dead, who lives in heaven; 

And they who to be sure of Paradise 

Dying put on the weeds of Dominic, 

Or in Franciscan think to pass disguis'd ; 

They pass the planets sev'n, and pass the fix'd, 

And that crystalline sphere^ whose balance weighs 

The trepidation talk'd, and that first mov'd : 

And now saint Peter at heav'n's wicket seems 

To wait them with his keys, and now at foot 

Of heav'n's ascent they lift their feet, when lo 

A violent cross wind from either coast 

Blows them transverse ten thousand leagues awry 

Into the devious air; then might ye see 

* "And that crystalline sphere," &c. an allusion to the Ptole- 
maic notion of a trepidation or libration in the crystalline hea- 
ven, caused by the primuvi mobile^ or first-moved and first mover. 



82 PAHADISE LOST. [bOOK III 

Cowls, hoods, and habits, with their wearers tost 

And fiutter'd into rags, then reliques, beads, 

Indulgences, dispenses, pardons, bulls, 

The sport of w4nds : all these upwhirl'd aloft 

Fly o'er the backside of the world far off 

Into a limbo large and broad, since call'd 

The paradise of fools, to few unknown 

Long after, now unpeopled, and untrod. 

All this dark globe the fiend found as he pass'd, 

And long he wander'd, till at last a gleam 

Of dawning light turn'd thither-ward in haste 

His travell'd steps : far distant he descries 

Ascending by degrees magnificent 

Up to the wall of heav'n, a structure high ; 

At top whereof, but far more rich appear'd 

The work as of a kingly palace gate, 

With frontispiece of diamond and gold 

Embellish'd : thick with sparkling orient gems 

The portal shone, inimitabk on earth 

By model, or by shading pencil drawn. 

The stairs were such as whereon Jacob saw 

Angels ascending and descending, bands 

Of guardians bright, when he from Esau fled 

To Padan-Aram, in the field of Luz 

Dreaming by night under the open sky. 

And waking cry'd. This is the gate of heav'n. 

Each stair mysteriously was meant, nor stood 

There always, but drawn up to heav'n sometimes 

Viewless ; and undejtieath a bright sea flow'd 

Of jasper, or of liquid pearl, whereon 

Who after came from earth, sailing arriv'd 

Wafted by angels, or flew o'er the lake 

Kapt in a chariot drawn by fiery steeds. 

The stairs were then let down, whether to dare 

The fiend by easy ascent, or aggravate 

His sad exclu^sion from the doors of bliss : 

Direct against which open'd from beneath, 

Just o'er the blissful seat of Paradise, 

A passage down to th' earth, a passage wide, 



BOOK 1II._ PARADISE LOST. 83 

Wider by far than that of after times 

Over mount Sion ; and, though that were large, 

Over the promised land, to God so dear. 

By which, to visit oft those happy tribes, 

On high behests his angels to and fro 

Pass'd frequent, and his eye with choice regard, 

From Paneas the fount of Jordan's flood 

To Beersheba, where the Holy Land 

Borders on Egypt, and the Arabian shore : 

So wide the op'ning seem'd, where bounds were set 

To darkness, such as bound the ocean wave. 

Satan from hence, now on the lower stair 

That scal'd by steps of gold to heaven gate. 

Looks down with wonder at the sudden view 

Of all this world at once. As when a scout 

Through dark and desert ways with peril gone 

All night, at last by break of cheerful dawn 

Obtains the brow of some high-climbing hill, 

Which to his eye discovers unaware 

The goodly prospect of some foreign land 

First seen, or some renown'd metropolis 

With glist'ring spires and pinnacles adorn'd, 

Which now the rising sun gilds with his beams ; 

Such wonder seiz'd, though after heaven seen, 

The spirit malign, but much more envy seiz'd. 

At sight of all this world beheld so fair. 

Round he surveys (and well might, where he stood 

So high above the circling canopy 

Of night's extended shade) from eastern point 

Of Libra to the fleecy star that bears 

Andromeda far ofl* Atlantic seas 

Beyond th' horizon ; then from pole to pole 

He views in breadth, and v/ithout longer pause 

Downright into the world's first region throws 

His flight precipitant, and winds with ease 

Through the pure marble air, his oblique way 

Amongst innumerable stars, that shone 

Stars distant, but nigh hand seem'd other worlds ; 

Oi other worlds they seem'd, or happy isles, 



84 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK 111 

Like those Hesperian gardens fam'd of old, 

Fortunate fields, and groves, and flow'ry vales, 

Thrice happy isles, but who dwelt happy there 

He stay'd not to inquire : above them all 

The golden sun in splendour likest heav'n 

Allur'd his eye ; thither his course he bends 

Through the calm firmament (but up or down, 

By centre, or eccentric, hard to tell, 

Or longitude,) where the great luminary 

Aloof the vulgar constellations thick. 

That from his lordly eye keep distance due. 

Dispenses light from far ; they as they move 

Their starry dance in numbers that compute 

Days, months, and years, tow'rds his all-cheering 

lamp 
Turns swift their various motions, or are turn'd 
By his magnetic beam, that gently warms 
The universe, and to each inward part 
With gentle penetration, though unseen. 
Shoots invisible virtue ev'n to the deep ; 
So v/ondrously was set his station bright. 
There lands the fiend, a spot like which perhaps 
Astronomer in the sun's lucent orb 
Through his glaz'd optic tube yet never saw. 
The place he found beyond expression bright, 
Compar'd with aught on earth, metal of stone ; 
Not all parts like, but all alike inform'd 
With radiant light, as glowdng iron with fire ; 
If metal, part seem'd gold, part silver clear ; 
If stone, carbuncle most or chrysolite, 
Ruby or topaz, to the twelve that shone 
In Aaron's breast-plate, and a stone besides 
Imagin'd rather oft than elsewhere seen, 
That stone, or like to that which here below 
Philosophers in vain so long have sought. 
In vain, though by their pow'rful art they bind 
Volatile hermes, and call up unbound 
In various shapes old Proteus from the sea, 
Drain'd through a limbec to his native form. 



BOOK ni.] PARADISE LOST. S5 

What wonder then if fields and regions here 
Breathe forth elixir pure, and rivers run 
Potable gold, when with one virtuous touch 
Th' arch-chemic sun, so far from us remote, 
Produces, with terrestrial humour mix'd, 
^lere in the dark so many precious things 
)f colour glorious, and effect so rare ? 
Here matter new to gaze the Devil met 
Undazzled ; far and wide his eye commands ; 
For sight no obstacle found here, nor shade, 
But all sunshine, as when his beams at noon 
Culminate from th' equator, as they now 
Shot upward still direct, whence no way round 
Shadow from body opaque can fall ; and th' air 
No where so clear, sharpen'd his visual ray 
To objects distant far, whereby he soon 
Saw within ken a glorious angel stand. 
The same whom John saw also in the sun : 
His back was turn'd, but not his brightness hid; 
Of beaming sunny rays a golden tiar 
Circled his head, nor less his locks behind 
Illustrious on his shoulders fledge with wings 
Lay waving round ; on some great charge employ*d 
He seem'd, or fix'd in cogitation deep. 
Glad was the spirit impure, as now in hope 
To find who might direct his wandering flight 
To Paradise the happy seat of man, 
His journey's end and our beginning wo, 
But first he casts to change his proper shape, 
Which else might work him danger or delay ; 
And now a stripling cherub he appears. 
Not of the prime, yet such as in his face 
Youth smil'd celestial, and to every limb 
Suitable grace diflfus'd, so well he feign'd : 
Under a coronet his flowing hair 
In curls on either cheek play'd ; wings he wore 
Of many a colour'd plume sprinkled with gold, 
His habit fit for speed succinct, and held 
Before his decent steps a silver wand. 
8 



86 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK III 

He drew not nigh unheard ; the angel bright, 

Ere he drew nigh, his radiant visage turn'd, 

Admonish'd by his ear, and straight was known 

Th' arch -angel Uriel, one of the seven 

Who in God's presence, nearest to his throne, 

Stand ready at command, and ere his eyes 

That run through all the heav'n's, or down to th' earth 

Bear his swift errands over moist and dry, 

O'er sea and land : him Satan thus accosts : 

Uriel, for thou of those seven spirits that stand 
In sight of God's high throne, gloriously bright, 
The first art wont his great authentic will 
Interpreter through highest heav'n, to bring, 
Where all his sons thy embassy attend ; 
And here art likeliest by supreme decree 
Like honour to obtain, and as his eye 
To visit oft this new creation round ; 
Unspeakable desire to see, and know 
All these his wondrous works, but chiefly man 
His chief delight, and favour, him for whom 
All these this work so wondrous he ordain'd. 
Hath brought me from the choirs of cherubim 
Alone thus wand'ring. Brightest seraph, tell 
In which of all these shining orbs hath man 
His fixed seat, or fixed seat hath none, 
But all these shining orbs his choice to dwell 
That I may find him, and with secret gaze 
Or open admiration him behold, 
On whom the great Creator hath bestow 'd 
Worlds, and on whom hath all these graces pourVI 
That both in him and all things, as is meet 
The universal Maker we may praise ; 
Who justly hath driv'n out his rebel foes 
To deepest hell, and to repair that loss 
Created this new happy race of men 
To serve him better : wise are all his ways 

So spake the false dissembler unperceiv'd 
For neither man nor angel can discern 
Hypocrisy, the only evil that walks 



BOOK III.] PARADISE LOST. 87 

Invisible, except to God alone, 

By his permissive will, through heav'n and earth: 

And oft though wisdom wake, suspicion sleeps 

At Wisdom's gate, and to simplicity 

Kesigns her charge, while goodness thinks no ill 

Where no ill seems : which now for once beguil'd 

Uriel, though regent of the sun, and held 

The sharpest sighted spirit of all in heav'n ; 

Who to the fraudulent impostor foul, 

[n his uprightness answer thus return'd : 

Fair angel, thy desire which tends to know 
The works of God, thereby to glorify 
The great Work-master, leads to no excess 
That reaches blame, but rather m.erits praise 
The more it seems excess, that led thee hither 
From thy empyreal mansion thus alone. 
To witness with thine eyes what some perhaps 
Contented with report hear only in heav'n : 
For wonderful indeed are all his works, 
Pleasant to know, and worthiest to be all 
Had in remembrance always with delight; 
But what created mind can comprehend 
Their number, or the wisdom infinite 
That brought them forth, but hid their causes deep' 
I saw when at his word the formless mass, 
This world's material mould, came to a heap : 
Confusion heard his voice, and wild uproar 
Stood rul'd, stood vast infinitude confin'd 
Till at his second bidding darkness fled, 
Light shone, and order from disorder sprung : 
Swift to their several quarters hasted then 
The cumbrous elements, earth, flood, air, fire ; 
And this ethereal quintessence of heav'n 
Flew upward, spirited with various forms, 
That roll'd orbicular, and turn'd to stars 
Numberless, as thou seest, and how they move ; 
Each had his place appointed, each his course ; 
The rest in circuit walls this universe. 
Look downward on that globe, whose hither side 



88 PARADISE LOST. [BOOK HI. 

With light from hence, though but reflected, shines. 
That place is earth, the seat of man, that light 
His day, which else as th' other hemisphere 
Night would invade : but there the neighb'ring moon 
(So call that opposite fair star) her aid 
Timely interposes, and her monthly round 
Still ending, still renewing, through mid heav'n, 
With borrow'd light her countenance triform 
Hence fills and empties to enlighten th' earth, 
And in her pale dominion checks the night. 
That spot to which I point, is Paradise, 
Adam's abode, those lofty shades his bower. 
Thy way thou canst not miss, me mine requires. 
Thus said, he turn'd ; and Satan bowing low. 
As to superior spirits is wont in heav'n, 
Where honour due and reverence none neglects, 
Took leave, and tow'rd the coast of earth beneath, 
Down from th' ecliptic, sped with hop'd success. 
Throws his steep flight in many an airy wheel, 
Nor stay'd till on Niphates top he lights. 



BND OS BOOK IHiKD. 



THE 

FOURTH BOOK 

OF 

PARADISE LOST. 



THE ARGUMIiJNr. 



Utan now in prospect of Eden, and nigh the place where he must 
now attempt the bold enteriifisc whicii he undertook alone against 
God and man, falls into many doubts with himself, and many 
passions ; fear, envy, and despair : but at length confirms him- 
self in evil, journeys on to Paradise whose outward prospect and 
situation is described, overleaps the bounds, sits in the shape of 
a cormorant on the tree of life,as highest in the garden, to look 
about him. The garden described ; Satan's first sight of Adam 
and Eve ; his wonder at their excellent form and happy state, 
but with resolution to work their fall ; overhears their discourse, 
thence gathers that the tree of knowledge was forbidden them 
to eat of, under penalty of death ; and thereon intends to found 
his temptation, by seducing them to transgress : then leave? 
them awhile, to know further of their state by some other means. 
Meanwhile Uriel descending on a sunbeam warns Gabriel, who 
had in charge the gate of Paradise, that some evil spirit had es- 
caped the deep, and passed at noon by his sphere in the shape of 
a good angel down to Paradise, discovered after by his furious 
gestures in the mount. Gabriel promises to find him ere morn- 
ing. Night coming on, Adam and Eve discourse of going to 
their rest : their bower described ; their evening worship. Ga- 
briel drawing forth his bands of night-watch to walk the round 
of Paradise, appoints two strong angels to Adam's bower, lest 
the evil spirit should be there doing some harm to Adam or Eve 
sleeping : there they find him at the ear of Eve, tempting her in 
a dream, and bring him, though unwilling, to Gabriel ; by whom 
questioned, he scornfully answers, prepares resistance, but hin 
dered by a sign from Heaven, flies out of Paradise. 



PARADISE LOST. 



BOOK IV. 



O FOR that warning voice, which he who saw 

Th' Apocalypse heard cry in heav'n aloud, 

Then when the dragon, put to second rout, 

Came furious down to be reveng'd on men, 

Wo to the inhabitants on earth ! that now. 

While time was, our first parents had been warn*d 

The coming of their secret foe, and 'scap'd. 

Haply so 'scap'd his mortal snare : for now 

Satan, now first inflam'd with rage, came down, 

The tempter ere th' accuser of mankind, 

To wreck on innocent frail man his loss 

Of that first battle, and his flight to hell ; 

Yet not rejoicing in his speed, though bold 

Far off and fearless, nor with cause to boast, 

Begins his dire attempt, which nigh the birth 

Now rolling boils in his tumultuous breast, 

And like a devilish engine back r'^coils 

Upon himself; horror and doubt distract 

His troubled thoughts, and from the bottom stir 

The hell within him ; for within him hell 

He brings, and round about him, nor from hell 

One step no more than from himself can fly 

By change of place : now concience wakes despair 

That slumber'd, wakes the bitter memory 

Of what he was, what is, and what must be 

Worse ; of worse deeds worse suff 'rings must ensue. 



92 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK IV 

Sometimes tow'rds Eden, which now in his view 
Lay pleasant, his griev'd look he fixes sad ; 
Sometimes tow'rds heav'n and the full-blazing sun. 
Which now sat high in his meridian tower: 
Then much revolving, thus in sighs began : 

O thou that with surpassing glory crown'd, 
Look'st from thy sole dominion like the God 
Of this new world ; at whose sight all the stars 
Hide their diminish'd heads ; to thee I call, 
But with no friendly voice, and add thy name 

Sun, to tell thee how I hate thy beams, 
That bring to my remembrance from what state 

1 fell, how glorious once above thy sphere ; 
Till pride and worse ambition threw me down 
Warring in heav'n against heav'n's matchless King' 
\h wherefore ! he deserv'd no such return 

From me, whom he created what I was 
In that bright eminence, and with his good 
Upbraided none ; nor was his service hard. 
What could be less than to aflbrd him praise, 
The easiest recompense, and pay him thanks, 
How due ! yet ail his good prov'd ill in me, 
And wrought but malice ; lifted up so high 
I 'sdain'd subjection ; and thought one step higher 
Would set me highest, and in a moment quit 
The debt immense of endless gratitude. 
So burdensome still paying, still to owe, 
Forgetful what from him I still receiv'd, 
And understood not that a gra-teful mind 
B}^ owing owes not, but still pays, at once 
Indebted and discharg'd ; what burden then ? 

) had his pow'rful destiny ordain'd 

le some inferior angel, I had stood 
Then happy ; no unbounded hope had rais'd 
Ambition. Yet why not ? some other power 
As great might have aspir'd, and me, though mean, 
Drawn to his part ; but other pow'rs as great 
Fell not, but stand unshaken, from within, 
Or from without, to all temptations arm'd. 



BOOK nr.J PARADISE LOST. ' 93 

Hadst thou the same free will and pow'r to stard? 

Thou hadst : whom hast thou then or what t' accuse, 

But heav'n's free love dealt equally to all ? 

Be then his love accurs'd, since love or hate 

To me alike, it deals eternal wo. 

Nay curs'd be thou ; since against his, thy will 

Chose freely what it now so justly rues. 

Me miserable ! which way shall I fly 

Infinite wrath, and infinite despair ? 

Which way I fly is hell : myself am hell : 

And in the lowest deep, a lower deep 

Still threat'ning to devour me opens wide, 

To which the hell I suffer seems a heav'n. 

O then at last relent : is there no place 

Left for repentance, none for pardon left ? 

None left but by submission ; and that word 

Disdain forbids me, and my dread of shame 

Among the spirits beneath, whom I seduc'd 

With other promises and other vaunts 

Than to submit, boasting I could subdue 

Th' Omnipotent. Ay me ! they little know 

How dearly I abide that boast so vain, 

Under what torments inwardly I groan, 

While they adore me on the throne of hell. 

With diadem and sceptre high advanc'd, 

The lower still I fall, only supreme 

In misery ; such joy, ambition finds. 

But say I could repent, and could obtain 

By act of grace my former state : how soon 

Would height recal high thoughts, how soon unsay 

What feign'd submission swore ? ease would recant 

Vows made in pain, as violent and void : 

or never can true reconcilement grow 
Where wounds of deadly hate have pierc'd so deep : 
Which would but lead me to a worse relapse 
And heavier fall : so should I purchase dear 
Short intermission, bought with double smart. 
This knows my punisher : therefore as far 
From granting he, as I from begging peace : m 



94 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK IV 

All hope excluded thus, behold instead 

Of us out-cast, exil'd, his new delight 

Mankind created, and for him this world. 

So farewell hope, and with hope farewell fear, 

Farewell remorse : all good to me is lost 

Evil be thou my good ; by thee at least 

Divided empire with heav'n'.s King I hold, 

By thee, and more than half perhaps will reign ; 

As man ere long, and this new world shall know. 

Thus while he spake, each passion dimm'd his fac» 
Thrice chang'd with pale, ire, envy, and despair ; 
Which marr'd his borrow'd visage, and betray 'd 
Him counterfeit, if any eye beheld ; 
For heav'nly minds from such distempers foul 
Are ever clear. Whereof he soon aware, 
Each perturbation smooth'd with outward calm, 
Artificer of fraud ; and was the first 
That practis'd falsehood under saintly show. 
Deep malice to conceal, couch'd with revenge; 
Yet not enough had practis'd to deceive 
Uriel once warn'd ; whose eye pursu'd him dowi» 
The way he went, and on th' Assyrian mount 
Saw him disfigur'd more than could befal 
Spirit of happy sort ; his gestures fierce 
He mark'd, and mad demeanour, then alone, 
As he suppos'd, all unobserv'd, unseen. 
So on he fares, and to the border comes 
Of Eden, where delicious Paradise, 
Now nearer, crowns with her enclosure green. 
As with a rural mound, the champaign head 
Of a steep wilderness, whose hairy sides 
With thicket overgcown, grotesque and wild, 
Access deny'd : and over head up grew 
Insuperable height of loftiest shade. 
Cedar, and pine, and fir, and branching palm, 
A sylvan scene, and as the ranks ascend 
Shade above shade, a woody theatre 
Of stateliest view. Yet higher than their tops 
The verd'rous wall of Paradise up sprung : 



BOOK IV.] PARADISE LOST. 95 

Which to our general sire gave prospect large 

Into his nether empire neighb'ring round. 

And higher than that wall, a circling row 

Of goodliest trees loaden with fairest fruit, 

Blossoms and fruits at once of golden hue, 

Appear'd, with gay enammel'd colours mix'd : 

On which the sun more glad impress'd his beams 

Than in fair evening cloud, or humid bow, 

When God hath show'r'd the earth ; so lovely seem'd 

That landscape : And of pure, now purer air 

Meets his approach, and to the heart inspires 

Vernal delight and joy, able to driA^e 

All sadness but despair : now gentle gales 

Fanning their odoriferous wings dispense 

Native perfumes, and whisper whence they stole 

Those balmy spoils. As when to them who sail 

Beyond the Cape of Hope^ and now are past 

Mozambic, off at sea north-east winds blow 

Sabean odours from the spicy shore 

Of Araby the blest, with such delay 

Well pleased they slack their course, and many a 

league 
Gheer'd with the grateful smell old Ocean smiles : 
So entertain'd these odorous sweets the fiend 
Who came their bane, though with them better pleas *d 
Than Asmodeus with the fishy fume 
That drove him, though enamour'd, from the spouse 
Of Tobit's son, and with a vengeance sent 
From Media post to Eg^^pt, there fast bound. 
Now to th' ascent of that steep savage hill, 
Satan had journey'd on, pensive and slow ; 
But further way found none, so thick entwin'd, 
As one continued brake, the undergrowth 
Of shrubs and tangling bushes had perplex'd 
All path of man or beast that pass'd that way : 
One gate there only was, and that look'd east 
On th' other side : which when th' arch-felon saw, 
Due entrance he disdain'd, and in contempt, 
At one slight bound high overleap'd all bounJ 



96 PARADISE LOST. [BOOK IV. 

Of hill or highest wall, and sheer within 

Lights on his feet. As when a prowling wolf, 

Whom hunger drives to seek new haunt for prey, 

Watching where shepherds pen their flocks at eve, 

In hurdled cotes, amid the field secure. 

Leaps o'er the fence with ease into the fold : 

Or as a thief bent to unhoard the cash 

Of some rich burgher, whose substantial doors, 

Cross-barr'd and bolted fast, fear no assault, 

In at the window climbs, or o'er the tiles : 

So clomb this first grand thief into God's fold : 

So since into his church lewd hirelings climb. 

Thence up he flew, and on the tree of life. 

The middle tree, and highest there that grew. 

Sat like a cormorant ; yet not true life 

Thereby regain'd, but sat devising death 

To them who liv'd ; nor on the virtue thought 

Of that life giving plant, but only us'd 

For prospect, what well us'd, had been the pledge 

Of immortality. So little knows 

Any but God alone, to value right 

The good before him, but perverts best things 

To worst abuse, or to their meanest use. 

Beneath him with new wonder now he views 

To all delight of human sense expos'd. 

In narrow room Nature's whole wealth, yea more, 

A heav'n on earth : for blissful Paradise 

Of God the garden was, by him in th' east 

Of Eden planted ; Eden stretch'd her line 

From Auran eastward to the royal towers 

Of great Seleucia, built by Grecian kings. 

Or where the sons of Eden long before 

Dwelt in Telassar : in this pleasant soil 

His far more pleasant garden God ordain'd ; 

Out of the fertile ground he caus'd to grow 

All trees of noblest kind for sight, smell, taste ; 

And all amid them stood the tree of life, 

High eminent, blooming ambrosial fruit 

Of vegetable gold j and next to life. 



BOOK IV.] PARADISE LOST. 97 

Our death, the tree of knowledge grew fast by, 

Knowledge of good bought dear by knowing ill. 

Southward through Eden went a river large, 

Nor chang'd his course, but through the shaggy hill 

Pass'd underneath ingulf 'd; for God had thrown 

That mountain as his garden mould high rais'd 

Upon the rapid current, which through veins 

Of porous earth, with kindly thirst up drawn, 

Rose a fresh fountain, and with many a rill 

Water'd the garden ; thence united fell 

Down the steep glade, and met the nether flood, 

Which from his darksome passage now appears, 

And now divided into four main streams, 

Runs diverse, wand'ring many a famous realm 

And country, whereof here needs no account ; 

But rather to tell how, if art could tell. 

How from that sapphire fount the crisped brooks. 

Rolling on orient pearl and sands of gold, 

With mazy error under pendent shades 

Ran nectar, visiting each plant, and fed 

Flow'rs, worthy of Paradise, which not nice art 

In beds and curious knots, but nature boon 

Pour'd forth profuse on hill, and dale, and plain, 

Both where the morning sun first warmly smote 

The open field, and where the unpierc'd shade 

Imbrown'd the noon-tide bow'rs : thus was this place 

A happy rural seat of various view ; 

Groves whose rich trees wept odorous gums and 

balm; 
Others whose fruit burnish 'd with golden rind 
Hung amiable, Hesperian fables true. 
If true, here only, and of delicious taste : 
Betwixt them lawns, or level downs, and flocks 
Grazing the tender herb, were interpos'd, 
Or palmy hillock ; or the flow'ry lap 
Of some irriguous valley spread her store, 
Flow'rs of all hue, and without thorn the rose : 
Another side, umbrageous grots and caves 
Of cool recess, o'er which the mantling vine 
9 



9S PARADISE LOST. [bOOK IV 

Lays forth her purple grape, and gently creeps 

Luxuriant ; meanwhile murm'ring waters fall 

Do\vn the slope hills dispers'd, or in a lake, 

That to the fringed bank with myrtle crown'd 

Her crystal mirror holds, unite their streams. 

The birds their choir apply : airs, vernal airs, 

Breathing the smell of field and grove, attune 

The trembling leaves, while universal Pan 

Knit with the Graces and the Hours in dance, 

Led on th' eternal spring. Not that fair field 

Of Enna, where Proserpine gathering flowers, 

Herself a fairer flow'r by gloomy Dis 

Was gather'd, which cost Ceres all that pain 

To seek her through the world ; nor that sweet grov6 

Of Daphne by Orontes, and th' inspir'd 

Castalian spring, might with this Paradise 

Of Eden strive ; nor that Nyseian isle 

Girt with the river Triton, where old Cham, 

Whom Gentiles Ammon call and Lybian Jove, 

Hid Amalthea and her florid son 

Young Bacchus from his step-dame Rhea's eye ; 

Nor where Abassin kings their issue guard, 

Mount Amara, though this by some suppos'd 

True Paradise under the Ethiop line 

By Nilus^ head, enclos'd with shining rock, 

A whole day's journey high, but wide remote 

From this Assyrian garden, where the fiend 

Saw undelighted all delight, all kind 

Of living creatures new to sight and strange ; 

Two of far nobler shape, erect and tall. 

Godlike erect, with native honour clad 

In naked majesty, seem'd lords of all, 

And worthy seem'd : for in their looks divine, 

The image of their glorious Maker, shone 

Truth, wisdom, sanctitude severe and pure, 

(Severe but in true filial freedom plac'd) 

Whence true authority and men ; though both 

Not equal, as their sex not equal seem'd : 

For contemplation he, and valour form'd ; 



BOOK IV.] PARADISE LOST. 99 

For softness slie, and sweet attractive grace ; 

He for God only, she for God in him : 

His fair large front and eye sublime declar'd 

Absolute rule; and hyacinthine locks ' 

Round from his parted forelock manly hung 

Clust'ring, but not beneath his shoulders broad : 

She as a veil down to the slender waist 

Her unadorned golden tresses wore 

Dishevel'd, but in wanton ringlets wav'd 

As the vine curls her tendrils, which imply 'd 

Subjection, but requir'd with gentle sway, 

And by her yielded, by him best receiv'd. 

Yielded with coy submission, modest pride, 

And sweet reluctant amorous delay. 

Nor those mysterious parts were then conceal'd ; 

Then was not guilty shame, dishonest shame 

Of nature's works ; honour dishonourable. 

Sin-bred, how have ye troubled all mankind 

With shows instead, mere shows of seeming pure, 

And banish'd from man's life his happiest life, 

Simplicity and spotless innocence ! 

So pass'd they naked on, nor shunn'd the sight 

Of God or Angel, for they thought no ill : 

So hand in hand they pass'd, the loveliest pair 

That ever since in love's embraces met; 

Adam the goodliest man of men since born 

His sons, the fairest of her daughters Eve. 

Under a tuft of shade that on a green 

Stood whisp'ring soft, by a fresh fountain side 

They sat them down ; and after no more toil 

Jf their sweet gard'ning labour, than suffic'd 

To recommend cool zephyr, and made ease 

More easy, wholesome thirst and appetite 

More grateful, to their supper fruits they fell, 

Nectarine fruits which the compliant boughs 

Yielded them, side-long as they sat recline 

On the soft downy bank damask'd with flow'rs 

The savoury pulp they chew, and in the rind 

Still as they thirsted scoop the brimming stream . 



100 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK IV 

Nor gentle purpose, nor endearing smiles 
Wanted, nor youthful dalliance as beseems 
Fair couple, link'd in happy nuptial league, 
Alome as they. About them frisking play'd 
All beasts of th' earth, since wild, and of all chase 
In wood or wilderness, forest or den ; 
Sporting the lion ramp'd, and in his paw 
Dandled the kid ; bears, tigers, ounces, pards, 
Gambol'd before them ; th' unwieldly elephant, 
To make them mirth, us'd all his might, and wreath d 
His lithe proboscis ; close the serpent sly 
Insinuating, wove with Gordian twine 
His braided train, and of his fatal guile 
Gave proof unheeded; others on the grass 
Couch'd, and now fiU'd with pasture gazing sat, 
Or bedward ruminating ; for the sun 
Declin'd was hasting now with prone career 
To the ocean isles, and in th' ascending scale 
Of heav'n, the stars that usher evening rose : 
When Satan still in gaze, as first he stood, 
Scarce thus at length fail'd speech recover'd sad. 
O hell ! what do mine eyes with grief behold ! 
Into our room of bliss thus high advanc'd 
Creatures of other mould, earth-born perhaps, 
Not spirits, yet to heav'nly spirits bright 
Little inferior : whom my thoughts pursue 
With wonder, and could love, so lively shines 
In them divine resemblance, and such grace 
The hand that form'd them on their shape hath pour d. 
Ah gentle pair, ye little think how nigh 
Your change approaches, when all these delights 
Will vanish and deliver ye to wo, 
More wo, the more your taste is now of joy ; 
Happy, but for so happy ill secur'd 
Long to continue, and this high seat your heav n 
111 fenced for heaven to keep out such a foe 
As now is enterM ; yet no purpos'd foe 
To you, whom I could pity thus forlorn, 
Though I unpitied : league with you I seek, 



l^OOK IV.] PARADISE LOST. l(^lr 

And mutual amity so strait, so close, 

That I with you must dwell, or you with me 

Henceforth : my dwelling haply may not please, 

Like this fair Paradise, your sense, yet such 

Accept your Maker's work ; he gave it me, 

Which I as freely give ; hell shall unfold, 

To entertain you two, her widest gates, 

And send forth all her kings ; there will be room, 

Not like these narrow limits, to receive 

Your numerous offspring; if no better place, 

Thank him who puts me loth to this revenge 

On you who wrong me not, for him who wronged. 

And should I at your harmless innocence 

Melt, as I do, yet public reason just, 

Honour and empire with revenge enlarg'd. 

By conq'ring this new world, compels me now 

To do what else though damn'd I should abhor. 

So spake the fiend, and with necessity, 
The tyrant's plea excus'd his devilish deeds. 
Then from his lofty stand on that high tree 
Dov>rn he alights among the sportful herd 
Of those four-footed kinds, himself now one, 
Now other, as their shape serv'd best his end 
Nearer to view his prey, and unespy'd 
To mark what of their state he more might learn 
By word or action mark'd : about them round, 
A lion now he stalks with fiery glare ; 
Then as a tiger, who by chance hath spy'd 
In some purlieu two gentle fawns at play. 
Straight couches close, then rising, changes oft 
His couchant watch, as one who chose his ground. 
Whence rushing he might surest seize them both 
Grip'd in each paw ; when Adam first of men 
To first of women Eve, thus moving speech, 
Turn'd him all ear to hear new utterance flow. 

Sole partner, and sole part, of all these joys, 
Dearer thyself than all ; needs must the Pow'r 
That made us, and for us this ample world, 
Be infinitely good, and of his good 
.9* 



102 PARADISE LOST. [boOK IT 

As liberal and free as infinite ; 

That rais'd us from the dust and plac'd us here 

In all this happiness, who at his hand 

Have nothing merited, nor can perform 

Aught whereof he halh need, he who requires 

From us no other service than to keep 

This one, this easy charge, of all the trees 

In Paradise that bear delicious fruit 

So various, not to taste that only tree 

Of knowledge, planted by the tree of life ; 

So near grows death to life, whate'er death is, 

Some dreadful thing no doubt: for well thouknow*st 

God hath pronounc'd it death to taste that tree, 

The only sign of our obedience left 

Among so many signs of power and rule 

Conferr'd upon us, and dominion given 

Over all other creatures that possess 

Earth, air, and sea. Then let us not think hard 

One easy prohibition, who enjoy 

Free leave so large to all things else, and choice 

Unlimited of manifold delights : 

But let us ever praise him, and extol 

His bounty, following our delightful task 

To prune these growing plants, and tend these flow'rs, 

Which were it toilsome, yet with thee were sweet. 

To whom thus Eve reply 'd: thou for whom 
And from whom I was formM, flesh of thy flesh. 
And without whom am to no end, my guide 
And head, what thou hast said is just and right, 
For we to him indeed all praises owe, 
And daily thanks ; I chiefly who enjoy 
So far the happier lot, enjoying the^ 
Pre-eminent by so much odds, while thou 
Like consort to thyself canst no where find. 
That day I oft remember, when from sleep 
I first awak'd, and found myself repos'd 
Under a shade on flow'rs, much wond'ring where 
And what I was, whence thither brought, and how 
Not distant far from thence a murm'ring sound 



BOOK IV.] PARADISE LOST. 103 

Of waters issued from a cave, and spread 

Into a liquid plain, then stood unmov'd 

Pure as th' expanse of heav'n ; I thither went 

With unexperienc'd thought, and laid me down 

On the green bank, to look into the clear 

Smooth lake, that to me seem'd another sky. 

As I feent down to look, just opposite 

A shape within the wat'ry gleam appeared, 

Bending to look on me : I started back, 

It started back ; but pleas 'd I soon return'd, 

Pleas 'd it return'd as soon with answering looks 

Of sympathy and love ; there I had fix'd 

Mine eyes till now, and pin'd with vain desire, 

Had not a voice thus warn'd me : what thou see si, 

What there thou seest, fair creature, is thyself; 

With thee it came and goes : but follow me, 

And I will bring thee where no shadow stays 

Thy coming, and thy soft embraces, he 

Whose image thou art; him thou shalt enjoy 

Inseparably thine, to him shalt bear 

Multitudes like thyself, and tkence be call'd 

Mother of human race. What could I do, 

But follow straight, invisibly thus led ? 

Till I espy'd thee, fair indeed and tall, 

Under a plantain ; yet methought less fair. 

Less winning soft, less amiably mild, 

Than that smooth wat'ry image : back I turn'd ; 

Thou following cry'st aloud, Return, fair Eve, 

Whom fiy'st thou ? whom thou fly'st, of him thou art, 

His flesh, his bone ; to give thee being I lent 

Out of my side to thee, nearest my heart, 

Subtantial life, to have thee by my side 

Henceforth an individual solace dear; 

Part of my soul I seek thee, and thee claim 

My other half: with that thy gentle hand 

Seiz'd mine ; I yielded, and from that time see 

How beauty is excell'd by manly grace 

And wisdom, which alone is truly fair. 

So spake our general mother, and with eyes 



104 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK IT 

Of conjugal attraction unreprov'd, 

And meek surrender, half-embracing lean'd 

On our first father ; half her swelling breast 

Naked met his, under the flowing gold 

Of her loose tresses hid; he in delight 

Both of her beauty and submissive charms 

Smil'd with superior love, as Jupiter 

On Juno smiles, when he impregns the clouds 

That shed May flow'rs ; and press'd her matron lip 

With kisses pure : aside the Devil turn'd 

For envy, yet with jealous leer malign 

Ey'd them askance, and to himself thus plain'd: 

Sight hateful, sight tormenting ! thus these two 
Imparadis'd in one another's arms, 
The happier Eden, shall enjoy their fill 
Of bliss on bliss ; while I to hell am thrust, 
Where neither joy nor love, but fierce desire, 
Among our other torments not the least, 
Still unfulfill'd with pain of longing pines. 
Yet let me not forget what I have gain'd 
From their own mouths : all is not theirs it seems ; 
One fatal tree there stands of knowledge call'd, 
Forbidden them to taste : knowledge forbidden ? 
Suspicious, reasonless. Why should their Lord 
Envy them that ? can it be sin to know ? 
Can it be death ? and do they only stand 
By ignorance ? is that their happy state, 
The proof of their obedience and their faith ? 
O fair foundation laid whereon to build 
Their ruin ! Hence I will excite their minds 
With more desire to know, and to reject 
Envious commands, invented with design 
To keep them low Vv'hom knowledge might exalt 
Equal with gods : aspiring to be such, 
They taste and die ; what likelier can ensue ? 
But first with narrow search I must walk round 
This garden, and no corner leave unspy'd ; 
A chance, but chance may lead where I may meet 
Some wand'ring spirit of heaven by fountain side 



BOOK IV.] PARADISE LOST. 105 

Or in thick shade retir'd, from him to draw 

What further would be learn'd. Live while ye may, 

Yet happy pair; enjoy, till I return, 

Short pleasures, for long woes are to succeed. 

So saying, his proud step he scornful turn'd, 
But with sly circumspection, and began 
Through wood, through waste, o'er hill, o'er dale hi 

roam. 
Meanwhile in utmost longitude, where heav'n 
With earth and ocean meets, the setting sun 
Slowly descended, and with right aspect 
Against the eastern gate of Paradise 
Levell'd his evening rays : it was a rock 
Of alabaster, pil'd up to the clouds, 
Conspicuous far, winding with one ascent 
Accessible from earth, one entrance high ; 
The rest was craggy cliff, that overhung 
Still as it rose, impossible to climb. 
Betwixt these rocky pillars Gabriel sat. 
Chief of the angelic guards, awaiting night : 
About him exercis'd heroic games 
Th' unarm'd youth of heav'n but nigh at hand 
Celestial armoury, shields, helms, and spears, 
Hung high with diamond flaming, and with gold. 
Thither came Uriel, gliding through the even 
On a sun-beam, swift as a shooting star 
In autumn thwarts the night, when vapours fir'd 
Impress the air, and shows the mariner 
From what point of his compass to beware 
Impetuous winds : he thus began in haste : 

Gabriel, to thee thy course by lot hath given 
Charge and strict watch, that to this happy place 
No evil thing approach or enter in. 
This day at height of noon came to my sphere 
A spirit, zealous, as he seem'd, to know 
More of th' Almighty's works, and chiefly man 
God's latest image : I describ'd his way 
Bent all on speed, and mark'd his airy gait ; 
But in the mount that lies from Eden north. 



106 PARADISE LOST. [boOK 17 

Where he first lighted, soon discern'd his looks 
Alien from heav'n, with passions foul obscur'd : 
Mine eye pursu'd him still, but under shade 
Lost sight of him : one of the banish'd crew, 
I fear, hath ventur'd from the deep, to raise 
New troubles ; him thy care must be to find. 

To whom the winged warrior thus return'd : 
Uriel, no wonder if thy perfect sight. 
Amid the sun's bright circle where thou sit'st, 
See far and wide : in at this gate none pass 
The vigilance here plac'd, but such as come 
Vv'ell known from heav'n ; and since meridian hour 
No creature thence : if spirit of other sort, 
So minded, have o'er-leap'd these earthly bounds 
On purpose, hard thou know'st it to exclude 
Spiritual substance with corporeal bar : 
But if within the circuit of these walks, 
In whatsoever shape he lurk, of whom 
Thou tell'st, by morrow dawning I shall know. 

So promis'd he ; and Uriel to his charge 
Return'd on that bright beam, whose point now rais'J 
Bore him slope downward to the sun now fall'n 
Beneath th' Azores ; whether the prime orb, 
Incredible how swift, had thither roU'd 
Diurnal, or this less voluble earth, 
By shorter flight to th' east, had left him there 
Array hig with reflected purple and gold 
The clouds that on his western throne attend. 

Now came still evening on, and twilight grey 
Had in her sober livery all things clad ; 
Silence accompanied; for beast and bird, 
They to their grassy couch, these to their nests 
Were slunk, all but the wakeful nightingale ; 
She all night long her amorous descant sung , 
Silence was pleas'd : now glow'd the firmament 
With living sapphires : Hesperus, that led 
The starry host, rode brightest, till the moon 
Rising in clouded majesty, at length 
Apparent queen unveil'd her peerless light, 



BOOK IV.] PARADlb-E LOST. 107 

And o'er the dark her silver mantle threw. 
When Adam thus to Eve: Fair consort, th' hour 
Of nig-ht, and all things now retir'd to rest, 
Mind us of like repose, since God hath set 
Labour and rest, as day and night, to men 
Successive ; and the timely dew of sleep 
Now falling with soft slumb'rous weight inclines 
Our eye-lids : other creatures all day long 
Rove idle unemplo3^'d, and less need rest ; 
Man hath his daily work of body or mind 
Appointed, which declares his dignity, 
And the regard of heav'n on all his ways , 
While other animals unactive range, 
And of their doings God takes no account. 
To-morrow ere fresh morning streak the east 
With first approach of light, we must be risen, 
And at our pleasant labour, to reform 
Yon flow'ry arbours, yonder alleys green, 
Our walk at noon, with branches overgrown, 
That mock our scant manuring, and require 
More hands than ours to lop their wanton growth ; 
Those blossoms also, and those dropping gums. 
That lie bestrown unsightly and unsmooth. 
Ask riddance, if we mean to tread with ease ; 
Meanwhile, as Nature wills, night bids us rest. 

To whom thus Eve with perfect beauty adorn'd : 
My author and disposer, what thou bidst 
Unargued I obey ; so God ordains ; 
God is thy law, thou mine : to know no more 
Is woman's happiest knowledge and her praise. 
With thee conversing I forget all time ; 
All seasons and their change, all please alike. 
Sweet is the breath of morn, her rising sweet, 
With charm of earliest birds ; pleasant the sun, 
When first on this delightful land he spreads 
His orient beams on herb, tree, fruit, and flower, 
Glist'ring with dew ; fragrant the fertile earth 
After soft show'rs ; and sweet the coming on 
Of grateful evening mild ; then silent night 



108 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK IV 

"With this her solemn bird, and this fair moon. 
And these the gems of heav'n, her starry train ; 
But neither breath of morn, when she ascends 
With charm of earliest birds ; nor rising sun 
On this delightful land ; nor herb, fruit, flow'r, 
Glist'ring with dew ; nor fragrance after showers : 
Nor grateful evening mild ; nor silent night 
With this her solemn bird, nor walk by moon, 
Or glittering star-light, without thee is sweet ; 
But wherefore all night long shine these ? for whom 
This glorious sight, when sleep hath shut all eyes ? 

To whom our general ancestor reply'd : 
Daughter of God and man, accomplish'd Eve, 
These have their course to finish round the earth, 
By morrow evening, and from land to land 
In order, though to nations yet unborn, 
Minist'ring light prepar'd they set and rise; 
Lest total darkness should by night regain 
Her old possession, and extinguish life 
In nature and all things, which these soft files 
Not only enlighten, but with kindly heat 
Of various influence foment and warm, 
Temper or nourish, or in part shed down 
Their stellar virtue on all kinds that grow 
On earth, made hereby apter to receive 
Perfection from the sun's more potent ray. 
These then, though unbeheld in deep of night, 
Shine not in vain ; nor think, though men were none 
That heav'n would want spectators, God want praise ; 
Millions of spiritual creatures walk the earth 
Unseen, both when we wake, and when we sleep ; 
All these with ceaseless praise his works behold 
Both day and night : how often from the steep 
Of echoing hill or thicket have we heard 
Celestial voices to the midnight air, 
Sole, or reponsive each to other's note, 
Singing their great Creator ? oft in bands 
While they keep watch, or nightly rounding walk 
With heav'nly touch of instrumenal sounds 



BOOK IV.] PARADISE LOST. 109 

In full harmonic number join'd, their songs 
Divide the night, and lift our thoughts to heav*n. 

Thus talking, hand in hand alone they pass'd 
On to their blissful bow'r ! it was a place 
Chos'n by the sov'reign Planter, when he framed 
All things to man's delightful use ; the roof 
Of thickest covert was inwoven shade. 
Laurel and myrtle, and what higher grew 
Of firm and fragrant leaf: on either side 
Acanthus, and each odorous bushy shrub 
Fenc'd up the verdant wall ; each beauteous flow'r, 
Iris all hues, roses, and jessamine, 
Rear'd high their flourish'd heads between, m^ 

wrought 
Mossaic ; under foot the violet^ 
Crocus, and hyacinth with rich inlay 
Broider'd the ground, more colour'd than with stone 
Of costliest emblem : other creature here. 
Beast, bird, insect, or worm durst enter none ; 
Such was their awe of man. In shadier bower 
More sacred and sequester 'd, though but feign'd, 
Pan or Sylvanus never slept, nor nymph. 
Nor Faunus haunted. Here in close recess 
With flowers, garlands, and sweet smelling herbs, 
Espoused Eve deck'd first her nuptial bed, 
And heav'nly choirs the hymensean sung, 
What day the genial angels to our sire 
Brought her in naked beauty ; more adorn'd, 
More lovely than Pandora, whom the gods 
Endow'd with all their gifts, and O too like 
In sad event, when to th' unwiser son 
Of Japhet brought by Hermes, she ensnar'd 
Mankind with her fair looks, to be aveng'd 
On him who had stole Jove's authentic fire. 

Thus at their shady lodge arriv'd, both stood, 
Both turn'd, and under open sky ador'd 
The God that made both sky, air, earth, and heav'a 
Which they beheld, the moon's resplendent globe, 
And starry pole : Thou also mad'st the night, 
10 



1 10 PARADISE LOST. [BOOK IT 

Maker omnipotent, and thou the day, 
Which we in our appointed work employ'd 
Have finish'd, happy in our mutual help 
And mutual love, the crown of all our bliss 
Ordain'd by thee, and this delicious place 
For us too large, where thy abundance wants 
Partakers, and uncropt falls to the ground. 
But thou hast promis'd from us two, a race 
To fill the earth, who shall with us extol 
Thy goodness infinite, both when we wake, 
And when we seek, as now, thy gift of sleep. 

This said unanimous, and other rites 
Observing none, but adoration pure 
Which God likes best, into their inmost bower 
Handed they went ; and eas'd the putting off 
These troublesome disguises which we wear. 
Straight side by side were laid; nor turn'd I Aveen 
Adam from his fair spouse, nor Eve the rites 
Mysterious of connubial love refus'd : 
Whatever hypocrites austerely talk 
Of purity, and place, and innocence, 
Defaming as impure what God declares 
Pure, and commands to some, leaves free to all. 
Our Maker bids increase ; who bids abstain 
But our destroyer, foe to God and man ? 
Hail wedded love, mysterious law, true source 
Of human offspring, sole propriety 
In Paradise of all things common else. 
By thee adult'rous love was driv'n from men 
Among the bestial herds to range ; by thee 
Founded in reason, loyal, just, and pure, 
Relations dear, and all the charities 
Of Father, son, and brother first were known. 
Far be it, that I should write thee sin or blame, 
Or think thee unbefitting holiest place, 
Perpetual fountain of domestic sweets. 
Whose bed is undefil'd and chaste pronounc'd, 
Present, or past, as saints and patriarchs us'd. 
Here Love his golden shafts employs, here lights 



:B00K iV.j PARADISE LOST. Ill 

His constant lamp, and waves his purplo wings, 
Eeigns here and revels ; not in the bought smile 
Of harlots, loveless, joyless, unendear'd, 
(Casual fruition ; nor in court amours, 
Mix'd dance, or wanton mask, or midnight ball, 
Or serenade, which the starv'd lover sings 
To his proud fair, best quitted with disdain. 
These luU'd by nightingales embracing slept, 
And on their naked limbs the flowr'y roof 
Show'r'd roses, v/hich the morn repair'd. Sleep on, 
Blest pair; and O yet happiest, if ye seek 
No happier state, and know to know no more. 

Now had night measur'd with her shadowy cone 
Half way up hill this vast sublunar vault. 
And from their ivory port the cherubim 
Forth issuing at th' accustom 'd hour stood arm'd 
To their night watches in warlike parade. 
When Gabriel to his next in pow'r thus spake : 

Uzziel, half these draw off, and coast the south 
With strictest watch ; these other wheel the north ; 
Our circuit meets full west. As flame they part, 
Half wheeling to the shield, half to the spear. 
From these, two strong and subtle spirits he call'd 
That near him stood, and gave them thus in charge : 

Ithuriel and Zephon, with wing'd speed 
Search through this garden, leave unsearch'd no nook; 
But chiefly where those two fair creatures lodge, 
Now laid perhaps asleep, secure of harm. 
This evening from the sun's decline arriv'd 
Who tells of some infernal spirit seen 
Hitherward bent (who could have thought ?) escap'd 
The bars of hell, on errand bad no doubt : 
Such where ye find, seize fast, and hither bring. 

So saying, on he led his radiant files. 
Dazzling the moon ; these to the bow'r direct 
In search of whom they sought : him there they found 
Squat like a toad, close at the ear of Eve, 
Assaying by his devilish art to reach 
The organs of her fancy, and with them forge 



112 I'ARADISE LOST. [bOOK IV. 

Illusions as he list, phantasms and dreams, 
Or if, inspiring venom, he might taint 
Th' animal spirits that from pure blood arise 
Like gentle breaths from rivers pure, thence raise 
At least distemper'd, discontented thoughts, 
Vain hopes, vain aims, inordinate desires, 
Blown up with high conceits engend'ring pride. 
Him thus intent Ithuriel with his spear 
Touch'd lightly ; for no falsehood can endure 
Touch of celestial temper, but returns 
Of force to its own likeness : up he starts 
Disco ver'd and surprised. As when a spark 
Lights on a heap of nitrous powder, laid 
Fit for the tun some magazine to store 
Against a rumour'd war, the smutty grain 
With sudden hlaze diffus'd inflames the air : 
So started up in his own shape the fiend. 
Back stept those two fair angels half amaz'd, 
So sudden to behold the grisly king ; 
Yet thus, unmov'd with fear, accost him soon : 
"Which of those rebel spirits adjudg'd to hell 
Com'st thou, esca^'d thy prison ? and transformed, 
Why sat'st thou like an enemy in wait, 
Here watching at the head of these that sleep ? 

Know ye not then, said Satan, fill'd with scorn, 
Know ye not me ? ye knew me once no mate 
For you, there sitting where ye durst not soar : 
Not to know me argues yourselves unknown, 
The lowest of your throng ; or if ye know. 
Why ask ye, and superfluous begin 
Your message, like to end as much in vain ? 

To whom thus Zephon, answ'ring scorn with scorn 
Think not revolted spirit, thy shape the same, 
Or undiminish'd brightness to be known. 
As when thou stood'st in heav'n upright and pure ; 
That glory then, when thou no more wast good. 
Departed from thee : and thou resemblest now 
Thy sin and place of doom obscure and foul. 
But come, for thou, be sure, shalt give account 



BOOK IV.] PARADISE LOST. 113 

To him who sent us, whose charge is to keep 
This place inviolable, and these from harm. 

So spake the cherub ; and his grave rebuke, 
Severe in youthful beauty, added grace 
Invincible : abash'd the Devil stood, 
And felt how awful goodness is, and saw 
Virtue in her shape how lovely ; saw, and pin'd 
His loss ; but chiefly to find here observ'd 
His lustre visibly impair'd ; yet seem'd 
Undaunted. If I must contend, said he, 
Best, Avith the best, the sender, not the sent, 
Or all at once ; more glory will be won, 
Or less be lost. Th}'- fear, said Zephon bold, 
Will save us trial what the least can do 
Single against thee A\dcked, and thence weak. 

The fiend reply'd not, overcome with rage ; 
But like a proud steed rein'd, went haughty on, 
Champing his iron curb ; to strive or fly 
He held it vain ; awe from above had quell'd 
His heart, not else dismay'd. Now drew they nigh 
The western point, wheie those half-rounding guards 
Just met, and closing stood in squadron join'd, 
Awaiting next command. To whom their chief, 
Gabriel, from the front thus call'd aloud : 

friends, I hear the tread of nimble feet 
Hasting this way, and now by glimpse discern 
Ilhuriel and Zephon through the shade, 
And with them comes a third of regal port, 
But faded splendour wan ; who by his gait 
And fierce demeanour seem the prince of hell, 
Not likely to part hence without contest ; 
Stand firm, for in his looks defiance lours. 

He scarce had ended, when those two approach'd, 
And brief related whom they brought, where found. 
How busied, in what form and posture couch 'd. 

To whom with stern regard thus Gabriel spake : 
Why hast thou, Satan, broke the bounds prescrib'd 
To thy transgressions, and disturb'd the charge 
Of others, w^ho approve not to transgress 
10* 



114 PAKADISBI LOST. [bOOS IV. 

By thy example, but have pow^r and right 
'To question thy bold entrance on this place ; 
Employ'd it seems to violate sleep, and those 
Whose dwelling God hath planted here in bliss ? 

To whom thus Satan with contemptuous brow ; 
Ciabriel, thou hadst in heav'n th' esteem of wise, 
And such I held thee ; but this question ask'd 
Puts me in doubt. Lives there who loves his pain ? 
Who would not, finding way, break loose from hell, 
Though thither doom'd ? Thou wouldst thyself no 

doubt, 
And boldly venture to whatever place 
Farthest from pain, where thou mightst hope to change 
Tcfrment with ease, and soonest recompense 
Dole with delight, which in this place I sought j 
To thee no reason, who know'st only good, 
But evil hast not try'd ; and wilt object 
His will who bound us ? let him surer bar 
His iron gates, if he intends our stay 
in that dark durance ; thus much what was ask'd . 
The rest is true, thej'- found me where they say ; 
But that implies not violence or harm. 

Thus he in scorn. The warlike angel mov'd, 
Disdainfully half smiling thus reply 'd : 
O loss of one in heav'n to judge of wise, 
Since Satan fell whom folly overthrew. 
And now returns him from his prison 'scap'd. 
Gravely in doubt whether to hold them wise 
Or not, who ask what boldness brought him hither 
Unlicens'd from his bounds in hell prescrib'd j 
So wise he judges it to fly from pain 
However, and to 'scape his punishment. 
So judge thou still, presumptuous, till the wrath, 
Which thou incurr'st by flying, meet thy flight 
Sev'nfold, and scourge that wisdom back to hell, 
Which taught thee yet no better, that no pain 
Can equal anger infinite provok'd. 
But wherefore thou alone ? wherefore with thee 
Came not all hell broke loose ? is paia to them 



Book iv.] paeadise lost. 115 

Less pain, less to be fled ? or thou than they « 

Less hardy to endure ? courageous chief. 

The first in flight from pain, hadst thou alledg'd 

To thy deserted host this cause of flight, 

Thou surely hadst not came sole fugitive. 

To which the fiend thus answer'd frowning stem: 
Not that I less endure, or shrink from pain, 
Insulting angel : well thou know'st I stood 
Thy fiercest, when in battle to thy aid 
The blasting vollied thunder made all speed, 
And seconded by thy else not dreaded spear. 
But still thy words at random as before, 
Argue thy inexperience what behoves 
From hard assays and ill successes past 
A faithful leader, not to hazard all 
Through ways of danger by himself untry*d : 
I therefore, I alone first undertook 
To wing the desolate abyss, and spy 
This new created world, whereof in hell 
Fame is not silent, here in hope to find 
Better abode, and my afflicted powers 
To settle here on earth, or in mid air; 
Though for possession put to try once more 
What thou and thy gay legions dare against ; 
Whose easier business were to serve the Lord 
High up in heav'n, with songs to hymn his throne, 
And practis'd distances to cringe, not fight. 

To whom the warrior angel soon reply'd : 
To say, and straight unsay, pretending first 
Wise to fly pain, professing next the spy. 
Argues no leader but a liar trac'd, 
Satan, and could'st thou faithful add ? name, 
O sacred name of faithfulness profan'd ! 
Faithful to v/hom ? to thy rebellious crew ? 
Army of fiends, fit body to fit head. 
Was this your discipline and faith engag'd, 
Your military obedience, to dissolve 
Allegiance to the acknowledg'd power supreme ? 
And thou, sly hypocrite, who now wouldst seem 



116 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK IV. 

Patron of liberty, who more than thou 

Once favvn'd, and cring'd, and servilely ador'd 

Heav'ns awful monarch ? wherefore but in hope 

To dispossess him, and thyself to reign ? 

But mark what I aread thee now, Avaunt ; 

Fly thither whence thou fledst : if from this hour 

Within these hallow'd limits thou appear, 

Back to th' infernal pit I drag thee chain'd, 

And seal thee so, as henceforth, not to scorn 

The facile gates of hell too slightly barr'd. 

So threaten'd he ; but Satan to no threats 
Gave heed, bu-t waxing more in rage reply'd : 

Then when I am thy captive talk of chains. 
Proud limitary cherub,^ but ere then 
Far heavier load thyself expect to feel 
From my prevailing arm, though heav'ns King 
Ride on thy wings, and thou with thy compeers, 
Us'd to the yoke, draw'st his triumphant wheels 
In progress through the road of heav'n star-pav'd. 

While thus he spake, th' angelic squadron bright 
Turn'd fiery red, sharp'ning in mooned horns 
Their phalanx, and began to hem him round 
With ported spears, as thick as when a field 
Of Ceres ripe for harvest, waving bends 
Her bearded grove of ears, which way the wind 
Sways them ; the careful ploughman doubting stands, 
Lest on the threshing-floor his hopeful sheaves 
Prove chaff. On th' other side Satan alarm'd 
Collecting all his might dilated stood, 
Like Teneriffe or Atlas unremov'd : 
His stature reach'd the sky, and on his crest 
Sat horror plum'd : nor wanted in his grasp 
What seem'd both spear and shield : now drea iful 

deeds 
Might have ensued, nor only Paradise 
In this commotion, but the starry cope 

♦ "Proud limitary cherub:'' Umitari/ means guarding the 
limits. 



BOOK IV.] PARADISE LOST. 117 

Of heav'n perhaps, or all the elements 
At least had gone to wreck, disturb'd and torn 
With violence of this conflict, had not soon 
Th' eternal to prevent such horrid fray- 
Hung forth in heav'n his golden scales, yet seen 
Betwixt Astrea and the scorpion sign, 
Wherein all things created first he weigh'd, 
The pendulous round earth with balanc'd air 
In counterpoise, now ponders all events, 
Battles and realms : in these he put two weights 
The sequel each of parting and of fight ; 
The latter quick up flew, and kick'd the beam ; 
Which Gabriel spying, thus bespake the fiend : 

Satan, I know thy strength and thou know'st mine, 
Neither our own but giv'n ; what folly then 
To boast what arms can do ? since thine no more 
Than heav'n permits, nor mine, though doubled now 
To trample thee as mire : for proof look up, 
And read thy lot in yon celestial sign. 
Where thou art weigh'd, and shown how light, how 

weak, 
If thou resist. The fiend look'd up and knew 
His mounted scale aloft : nor more ; but fled 
Murm'ring, and with him fled the shades of night 



END OF THE FOUTS BOOK. 



THE 

FIFTH BOOK 

OF 

PARADISE LOST. 



THE ARGUMENT. 



Morning approached, Eve relates to Adam her troublesome 
dream ; he likes it not, yet comforts her : they come forth to their 
day labours : their morning hymn at the door of their bower. 
God to render man inexcusable sends Raphael to admonish him 
of his obedience, of his free estate, of his enemy near at hand, 
who he is, and why his enemy, and whatever else may avail 
Adam to know. Raphael comes down to Paradise, his appear- 
ance described, his coming discerned by Adam afar off, sitting at 
the door of his bower ; he goes out, to meet him, brings him to his 
lodge, entertains him with the choicest fruits of Paradise, got to- 
gether by Eve ; their discourse at table : Raphael performs his 
message, minds Adam of his state and of his enemy ; relates at 
Adam's request, who that enemy is, and how he came to be so, 
beginning from his first revolt in Heaven, and the occasion 
thereof; now he drew his legions after him to the parts»of the 
north, and there incited them to rebel with him, persuading all 
but only Abdiel a seraph, who in argument dissuades and oppo- 
ses him. then forsakes him. 



PARADISE LOST. 



BOOK V. 



Now morn her rosy steps in th* eastern clime 
Advancing, sow'd the earth with orient pearl, 
When Adam wak'd, so custom'd, for his sleep 
Was airy light from pure digestion bred, 
And temp'rate vapours bland, which th' only sound 
Of leaves and fuming rills, Aurora's fan 
Lightly disper'd, and the shrill matin song 
Of birds on every bough ; so much the more 
His wonder was to find unwaken'd Eve 
With tresses discompos'd, and glowing cheek, 
As through unquiet rest : he on his side 
Leaning half rais'd, with looks of cordial love 
Hung over her enamour'd, and beheld 
Beauty, which, whether waking or asleep, 
Shot forth peculiar gi ; :es ; then with voice 
Mild, as when Zephyrus on Flora breathes, 
Her hand soft touching, whisper'd thus : Awake 
My fairest, my espous'd^ my latest found, 
Heav'n's last, best gift, my ever new delight. 
Awake ; the morning shines, and the fresh field 
Calls us ; we lose the prime, to mark how spring 
Our tended plants, how blows the citron grove, 
What drops the myrrh, and what the balmy reed, 
How nature paints her colours, how the bee 
Sits on the bloom, extracting liquid sweet. 
11 



122 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK V. 

Such vvliisp'ring wak'd her, but with startled eye 
On Adam, whom embracing, thus she spake : 

O sole in whom my thoughts find all repose, 
My glory, rny perfection, glad I see 
Thy face, and morn return'd ; for I this night 
(Such night till this I never pass'd) have dream'd, 
If dream'd, not as I oft am wont, of thee. 
Works of day past, or morrow's next design, 
But of offence and trouble, which my mind 
Knew never till this irksome night : methought, 
Close at mine ear one call'd me forth to walk 
With gentle voice, I thought it thine ; it said. 
Why sleep'st thou Eve ? now is the pleasant time, 
The cool, the silent, save where silence yields 
To the night-warbling bird, that now awake 
Tunes sweetest his love-labour'd song ; now reigns 
Full orb'd the moon, and with more pleasing light 
Shadowy sets off the face of things : in vain, 
If none regard ; heav'n wakes with all his eyes, 
Whom to behold but thee, nature's desire ? 
In whose sight all things joy with ravishment, 
Attracted by thy beauty still to gaze. 
I rose as at thy call, but found thee not; 
To find thee I directed then my walk ; 
And on, methought, alone I pass'd through ways 
That brought me on a sudden to the tree 
Of interdicted knowledge : fair it seem'd, 
Much fairer to my fancy than by day : 
And as I wond'ring look'd, beside it stood 
One shap'd and wing'd like one of those from heav'n 
By us oft seen : his dewy locks distill'd 
Ambrosia ; on that tree he also gaz'd ; 
And O fair plant, said he, with fruit surcharg'd, 
Deigns none to ease thy load and taste thy sweet. 
Nor God, nor man ? is knowledge so despis'd ? 
Or envy, or what reserve forbids to taste ? 
Forbid who will, none shall from me withhold 
Longer thy offer'd good, why else set here ? 
This said, he paus'd not, but with vent'rous arm 



BOOK v.] PARADISE LOST. 133 

He pluck'd, he tasted ; me damp horror chill'd 

At such bold words vouch'd with a deed so bold : 

But he thus overjoy'd, O fruit divine, 

Sweet of thyself, but much more sweet thus cropt, 

Forbidden here, it seems, as only fit 

For gods, yet able to make gods of men ! 

And why not gods of men, since good the more 

Communicated, more abundant grows, 

The author not impair'd, but honour'd more ? 

Here, happy creature, fair angelic Eve, 

Partake thou also ; happy though thou art, 

Happier thou may'st be, worthier canst not be ; 

Taste this, and be henceforth among the gods 

Thyself a goddess, not to earth confin'd, 

But sometimes in the air, as we, sometimes 

Ascend to heav'n, by merit thine, and see 

What life the gods live there, and such live thou. 

So saying, he drew nigh, and to me held, 

Ev'n to my mouth of that same fruit held part 

Which he had pluck'd ; the pleasant savoury smell 

So quicken'd appetite, that I, methought, 

Could not but taste. Forthwith up to the clouds 

With him I flew, and underneath beheld 

The earth outstretch'd immense, a prospect wide 

And various : wond'ring at my flight and change 

To this high exaltation ; suddenly 

My guide was gone, and I, methought, sunk down, 

And fell asleep ; but O how glad I wak'd 

To find this but a dream ! Thus Eve her night 

Related, and thus Adam answer'd sad : 

Best image of myself, and dearer half. 
The trouble of thy thoughts this night in sleep, 
Affects me equally ; nor can I like 
This uncouth dream, of evil sprung I fear ; 
Yet evil whence ? in thee can harbour none, 
Created pure. But know, that in the soul 
Are many lesser faculties, that serve 
Reason as chief: among these fancy next 
Her office holds : of all external thing, 



124 PARADISE LOST. ,B0OK V. 

W}»ich the five watchful senses represent, 

She forms imaginations, airy shapes, 

Which reason joining, or disjoining, frames 

All what we affirm or what deny, and call 

Our knowledge or opinion ; then retires 

Into her private cell when nature rests. 

Oft in her absence mimic fancy wakes 

To imitate her ; but misjoining shapes, 

Wild work produces oft, and most in dreams, 

111 matching words and deeds long past or late. 

Some such resemblances methinks I find 

Of our last evening's talk, in this thy dream, 

But with addition strange ; yet be not sad. 

Evil in the mind of God or man 

May come and go, so unapproved and leave 

No spot or blame behind : which gives me hope 

That what in sleep thou didst abhor to dream, 

Waking thou never wilt consent to do. 

Be not dishearten'd then, nor cloud those looks 

That wont to be more cheerful and serene. 

Than when fair morning first smiles on the world ; 

And let us to our fresh employments rise 

Among the groves, the fountains, and the flowers 

That open now their choicest bosom'd smells, 

Reserv'd from night, and kept for thee in store. 

So cheer'd he his fair spouse, and she was cheer*d. 
But silently a gentle tear let fall 
From either eye, and wip'd them with her hair ; 
Two other precious drops that ready stood, 
Each in their crystal sluice, he ere they fell 
Kiss'd, as the gracious signs of sweet remorso 
And pious awe, that fear'd to have offended. 

So all was clear 'd, and to the field they haste. 
But first, from under shady arb'rous roof 
Soon as they forth were come to open sight 
Of day-spring, and the sun, who scarce uprisen, 
With wheels yet hovering o'er the ocean brim, 
Shot parallel to the earth his dewy ray, 
Discovering in wide landscape all the east 



BOOK v.] PARADISE LOST. 125 

Of Paradise and Eden's happy plains, 

Lowly they bow'd adoring, and began 

Their orisons, each morning duly paid 

In various style ; for neither various style 

Nor holy rapture wanted they to praise 

Their Maker, in fit strains pronounc'd or sung 

Unmeditated, such prompt eloquence 

Flow'd from their lips, in prose or numerous verse, 

More tuneable than needed lute or harp 

To add more sweetness ; and they thus began. 

These are thy glorious works. Parent of good, 
Almighty, thine this universal frame, 
Thus wondrous fair ; thyself how wondrous then ! 
Unspeakable, who sit'st above these heavens, 
On us invisible, or dimly seen 
In these thy lowest works ; yet these declare 
Thy goodness beyond thought, and pow'r divine. 
Speak ye who best can tell, ye sons of light, 
Angels ; for ye behold him, and with songs 
And choral symphonies, day without night. 
Circle his throne rejoicing ; ye in heaven, 
On earth join all ye creatures to extol 
Him first, him last, him midst, and without end. 
Fairest of stars, last in the train of nighi. 
If better thou belong not to the dawn. 
Sure pledge of day, that crown'st the smiling mom 
"With thy bright circlet, praise him in thy sphere, 
While day arises, that sweet hour of prime. 
Thou Sun, of this great world both eye and soul, 
Acknowledge him thy greater, sound his praise 
In thy eternal course, both when thou climb'st, 
And when high noon hast gain'd, and when thou 

fall'st. 
Moon, that now meet'st the orient sun, now fly'st, 
With the fix'd stars, fix'd in their orb that flies. 
And ye five other wand'ring fires that move 
In. mystic dance not without song, resound 
His praise, who out of darkness call'd up light. 
Air, and ye elements, the eldest birth 
11* 



126 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK ▼, 

Of Nature's womb, that in quaternion ran 

Perpetual circle, multiform ; and mix 

And nourish all things ; let your ceaseless change 

Vary to our great Maker still new praise. 

Ye mists and exhalations that now rise 

From hill or steaming lake, dusky or grey, 

Till the sun paint your fleecy skirts with gold, 

In honour to the world's great Author rise, 

Whether to deck with clouds th' uncolour'd sky, 

Or wet the thirsty earth with falling showers, 

Rising or falling still advance his praise. 

His praise, ye winds, that from four quarters blow, 

Breathe soft or loud; and wave your tops, ye pines; 

With every plant, in sign of worship wave. 

Fountains, and ye that warble, as ye flow, 

Melodious murmurs, warbling tune his praise. 

Join voices, all ye living souls ; ye birds. 

That singing up to heaven gate ascend. 

Bear on your wings and in your notes his praise. 

Ye that in waters glide, and ye that walk 

The earth, and stately tread, or lowly creep ; 

Witness if I be silent, morn or even, 

To hill, or valley, fountain, or fresh shade 

Made vocal by my song, and taught his praise. 

Hail universal Lord, be bounteous still 

To give us only good ; and if the night 

Have gather'd ought of evil, or conceal'd. 

Disperse it, as now light dispels the dark. 

So pray'd they innocent, and to their thoughts 
Firm peace recover'd soon, and wonted calm. 
On to their morning's rural work they haste 
^Lmong sweet dews and flow'rs ; where any row 
^f fruit-trees over-woody reach'd too far 
Their pamper'd boughs, and needed hands to check 
Fruitless embraces : or they led the vine 
To wed her elm; she 'spous'd about him twines 
Her marriageable arms, and with her brings 
Her dow'r th' adopted clusters, to adorn 
His barren leaves. Them thus employ'd beheld 



BOOK v.] PAHADISE LOST. 1SP7 

With pity heavn's high King, and to him call'd 

Raphael, the sociable spirit, that deign'd 

To travel with Tobias, and secur'd 

His marriage with the sev'ntimes-wedded maid. 

Raphael, said he, thou hear'st what stir on earth 
Satan from hell 'scap'd through the darksome gulf 
Hath rais'd in Paradise, and how disturb'd 
This night the human pair, how he designs 
in them at once to ruin all mankind. 
Oo therefore, half this day, as friend with friend, 
Converse with Adam, in what bow'r or shade 
Thou find'st him from the heat of noon retir'd 
To respite his day-labour with repast, 
Or with repose ; and such discourse bring on, 
As may advise him of his happy state. 
Happiness in his pow'r left free to will, 
Left to his own free will, his will though free, 
Yet mutable ; whence warn him to beware 
He swerve not too secure : tell him withal 
His danger, and from whom ; what enemy, 
Late fall'n himself from heav'n, is plotting now 
The fall of others from like stale of bliss ; 
By violence ? no, for that shall be withstood , 
But by deceit and lies ; this let him know, 
Lest wilfully transgressing he pretend 
Surprisal, unadmonish'd, unforewarn'd. 

So spake th' eternal Father, and fulfill'd 
All justice ; nor delay'd the winged saint 
After his charge receiv'd ; but from among 
Thousand celestial ardours, where he stood 
Veil'd with his gorgeous wings, up springing light 
Flew through the midst of heav'n ; th' angelic choir% 
On each hand parting, to his speed gave way 
Through all th' empyreal road; till at the gate 
Of heav'n arriv'd, the gate self-open'd wide 
On golden hinges turning, as by work 
Divine the sov'reign architect had fram'd. 
From hence, no cloud, or, to obstruct his sight, 
Star imerpos'd, however small he sees, 



128 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK V. 

Not unconform to other shining globes, 

Earth and the gard'n of God, with cedars crowned 

Above all hills. As when by night the glass 

Of Galileo, less assur'd, observes 

Imagin'd lands and regions in the moon : 

Or pilot, from amidst the Cyclades, 

Delos or Samos first appearing, kens 

A cloudy spot. Down thither, prone in flight 

He speeds, and through the vast ethereal sky 

SaiPd between worlds and worlds, with steady wingf 

Now on the polar winds, then with quick fan 

Winnows the buxom air ; till within soar 

'Of tow'ring eagles, to all the fowls he seems 

A phoenix, gaz'd by all, as that sole bird. 

When to enshrine his reliques in the sun's 

Bright temple, to Egyptian Thebes he flies. 

At once on th' eastern clifl* of Paradise 

He lights, and to his proper shape returns 

A seraph wing'd ; six wings he wore, to shade 

His lineaments divine ; the pair that clad 

Each shoulder broad, came mantling o'er his breast 

With regal ornament ; the middle pair 

Girt like a starry zone his waist, and round 

Skirted his loins and thighs with downy gold 

And colours dipt in heav'n ; the third his feet 

Shadow'd from either heel with feather'd mail, 

Sky-tinctur'd grain. Like Maia's son he stood, 

And shook his plumes, that heav'nly fragrance fill'd 

The circuit wide. Straight knew him all the bands 

Of angels under watch ; and to his state, 

And to his message high in honour rise ; 

For on some message high they guess'd him bound : 

Their glittering tents he pass'd, and now is come 

, nto the blissful field, through groves of myrrh, 

And flow'ring odours, cassia, nard, and balm ; 

A wilderness of sweets : for nature here 

Wanton'd as in her prime, and play'd at will 

Her virgin fancies, pouring forth more sweet, 

Wild above rule or art; enormous bliss. 



BOOK v.] PARADISE LOST, 129 

Him through the spicy forest onward come, 

Adam discern'd, as in the door he sat 

Of his cool bow'r, while now the mounted sun 

Shot down direct his fervid rays to warm 

Earth's inmost womb, more warmth than Adam 

needs : 
And Eve within, due at her hour prepar'd 
For dinner savoury fruits, of taste to please 
True appetite, and not disrelish thirst 
Of nect'rous draughts between, from milky stream, 
Berry or grape : to whom thus Adam call'd : 

Haste hither Eve, and worth thy sight behold 
Eastward among those trees, what glorious shape 
Comes this way moving ; seems another morn 
Ris'n on mid-noon ; some great behest from heav'n 
To us perhaps he brings, and will vouchsafe 
This day to be our guest. But go with speed, 
And what thy stores contain, bring forth, and pour 
Abundance, fit to honour and receive 
Our heav'nly stranger : well we may afford 
Our givers their own gifts, and large bestow 
From large bestcw'd, where nature multiplies 
Her fertile growth, and by disburd'ning grows 
More fruitful, which instructs us not to spare. 

To whom thus Eve : Adam, earth's hallow'd mould 
Of God inspir'd, small store will serve, where store. 
All seasons ripe for use, hangs on the stalk ; 
Save what by frugal storing firmness gains 
To nourish, and superfluous moist consumes : 
But I will haste, and from each bough and brake, 
Each plant and juiciest gourd, will pluck such choice 
To entertain our angel guest, as he 
Beholding shall confess, that here on earth 
God hath dispens'd his bounties as in heav'n. 

So saying, with dispatchful looks in haste 
She turns, on hospitable thoughts intent 
What choice to choose for delicacy best. 
What order, so contriv'd as not to mix 



130 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK V 

Tastes, not well join'd inelegant, but bring 
Taste after taste upheld with kindliest change ; 
Bestirs her then, and from each tender stalk 
Whatever earth all-bearing mother yields 
In India East or West, or middle shore 
In Pontus or the Punic coast, or where 
Alcinous reign'd fruit of all kinds, in coat 
Rough or smooth rin'd, or bearded husk, or shell, 
She gathers tribute large, and on the board 
Heaps with unsparing hand ; for drink the grape 
She crushes, inoffensive must, and meaths 
From many a berry, and from sweet kernels press 'd 
She tempers dulcet creams, nor these to hold 
Wants her fit vessels pure, then strows the ground 
With rose and odours from the shrub unfum'd. 

Meanwhile our primitive great sire, to meet 
His godlike-guest, walks forth, without more train 
Accompanied than with bis own complete 
Perfections ; in himself was all his slate, 
More solemn than the tedious pomp that waits 
On princes, when the rich retinue long 
Of horses led, and grooms besmear'd with gold, 
Dazzles the crowd, and sets them all agape. 
Nearer his presence Adam though not aw'd, 
Yet with submiss approach and reverence meet, 
As to a superior nature, bowing low, 
Thus said : Native of heav'n, for other place 
None can than heav'n such glorious shape contain ; 
Since by descending from the thrones above, 
Those happy places thou hast deign'd awhile 
To want, and honour these, vouchsafe with us 
Two only, who yet by sov'reign gift possess 
This spacious ground, in yonder shady bower 
To rest, and what the garden choicest bears 
To sit and taste, till this meridian heat 
Be over, and the sun more cool decline. 

Whom thus th' angelic virtue answer'd mild : 
Adam I therefore came, nor art thou such 
Created, or such place hast here to dwell. 



BOOK v.] PARADISE LOST. 131 

As may not oft invite, though spirits of heav'n 

To visit thee ; lead on then where thy bower 

O'ershades ; for these mid-hours, till evening rise, 

I have at will. So to the sylvan lodge 

They came, that like Pomona's arbour smil'd 

With flow'rets deck'd, and fragrant smells ; but Eve, 

Undeck'd save with herself, more lovely fair 

Than wood-nymph, or the fairest goddess feign'd 

Of three that in mount Ida naked strove. 

Stood to entertain her guest from heav'n ; no veil 

She needed, virtue-proof ; no thought infirm 

Alter'd her cheek. On whom the angel, Hail, 

Bestow'd, the holy salutation us'd 

Long after to the blest Mary, second Eve. 

Hail mother of mankind, whose fruitful womb 
Shall fill the world more numerous with thy sons, 
Than with these various fruits the trees of God 
Have heap'd this table. Eais'd of grassy turf 
Their table was, and mossy seats had round, 
And on her ample square from side to side 
All autumn pil'd, though spring and autumn here 
Danc'd hand in hand. Awhile discourse they held; 
No fear lest dinner cool ; when thus began 
Our author : Heav'nly stranger, please to taste 
These bounties, which our Nourisher, from whom 
All perfect good, unmeasur'd out, descends, 
To us for food and for delight hath caus'd 
The earth to yield ; unsavoury food perhaps 
To spiritual natures ; only this I know. 
That one celestial Father gives to all. 
To whom the Angel : Therefore what he gives 
(Whose praise be ever sung) to man in part 
Spiritual, may of purest spirits be found 
No ingrateful food ; and food alike those pure 
Intelligential substances require, 
As doth your rational ; and both contain 
"Within them every lower faculty 
Of sense whereby they hear, see, smell, touch, taste. 
Tasting concoct, digest, assimilate, 



132 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK V. 

And corporeal, to incorporeal turn. 

For know, whatever was created, needs 

To be sustain'd and fed ; of elements 

The grosser feeds the purer, earth the sea, 

Earth and the sea feed air, the air those fires 

Ethereal, and as lowest first the moon ; 

Whence in her visage round those spots, unpurg'd 

Vapours not yet into her substance turn'd. 

Nor doth the moon no nourishment exhale 

From her moist continent to higher orbs. 

The sun that light imparts to all, receives 

From all his alimental recompense 

In humid exhalations, and at even 

Sups with the ocean. Though in heav'n the trees 

Of life, ambrosial fruitage bear, and vines 

Yield nectar, though from off the boughs each morn 

We brush mellifluous dews, and find the ground 

Cover'd with pearly grain : yet God hath here 

Varied his bounty so with new delights, 

As may compare with heav'n ; and to taste 

Think not I shall be nice. So down they sat, 

And to their viands fell ; nor seemingly 

The angel, nor in mist, the common gloss 

Of theologians ; but with keen despatch 

Of real hunger, and concoctive heat 

To transubstantiate: what redounds, transpires 

Through spirits with ease * nor wonder ; if by fire 

Of sooty coal th' empiric alchemist 

Can turn, or holds it possible t? turn, 

Metals of drossiest ore to perfect ^old. 

As from the mine. Meanwhile at table Eve 

Minister'd naked, and their flowing cups 

With pleasant liquors crown'd : O innocence 

Deserving Paradise ! if ever, then, 

Then had the sons of God excuse to have been 

Enamour'd at that sight ; but in those hearts 

Love unlibidinous reign'd, nor jealousy 

Was understood, the injur 'd lover's hell. 

Thus when with meats and drinks they had suffic'd, 



BOOK v.] PARADISE LOST. 133 

Not burden'd nature, sudden mind arose 
In Adam, not to let th' occasion pass 
Given him by this great conference to know 
Of things above his world, and of their being 
Who dwell in lieav'n, whose excellence he saw 
Transcend his own so far, whose radiant forms 
Divine effulgence, whose high pow'r so far 
Exceeded human, and his wary speech 
Thus to th' empyreal minister he fram'd: 

Inhabitant with God, now know I well 
Thy favour, in this honour done to man. 
Under whose lowly roof thou hast vouchsaf d 
To enter, and these earthly fruits to taste, 
Food not of angels, yet accepted so. 
As that more willingly thou couldst not seem 
At heav'n's high feast t' have fed: yet what compare ? 

To whom the winged hierarch reply'd : 
Adam, one Almighty is, from whom 
All things proceed, and up to him return, 
If not deprav'd from good, created all 
Such to perfection, one first matter all, 
Endued with various forms, various degrees 
Of subtance, and in things that live, of life ; 
But more refin'd, more spiritous, and pure, 
As nearer to him plac'd or nearer tending 
Each in their several active spheres asign'd, 
Till body up to spirit work, in bounds 
Proportion'd to each kind. So from the root 
Springs lighter the green stalk, from thence the 

leaves 
More airy, last the bright consummate flower 
Spirit odorous breathes : flow'rs and their fruit, 
Man's nourishment, by gradual scale sublim'd, 
To vital spirits aspire, to animal, 
To intellectual ; give both life and sense, 
Fancy and understanding ; whence the soul 
Reason receives, and reason is her being, 
Discursive, or intuitive ; discourse 
[s oftest yours, the latter most is curs, 



134 PARADISE LOST. [BOOK V 

Differing but in degree, of kind the same. 

Wonder not then, what God for you saw good 

If I refuse not, but convert, as you 

To proper substance ; time may come, when men 

With angels may participate and find 

No inconvenient diet, nor too light fare ; 

And from these corporeal nutriments perhaps 

Your bodies may at last turn all to spirit, 

Improv'd by tract of time, and wing'd ascend 

Ethereal, as we, or may at choice 

Here, or in heav'nly Paradise dwell ; 

If ye be found obedient, and retain 

Unalterably firm his love entire, 

Whose progeny you are. Meanwhile enjoy 

Your fill what happiness this happy state 

Can comprehend, incapable of more. 

To whom the patriarch of mankind reply'd ; 
O favourable spirit, propitious guest, 
Well hast thou taught the way that might direct 
Our knowledge, and the scale of nature set 
From centre to circumference, whereon 
In contemplation of created things 
By steps we may ascend to God. But say, 
What meant that caution join'd, If ye be found 
Obedient ? can we want obedience then 
To him, or possibly his love desert, 
Who form'd us from the dust, and plac'd us her»e 
Full to the utmost measure of what bliss 
Human desires can seek or apprehend ? 

To whom the angel : Son of heav'n and earth, 
Attend : that thou art happy, owe to God ; 
That thou continuest such, owe to thyself, 
That is to thy obedience ; therein stand. 
This was that caution given thee ; be advised. 
God made thee perfect not immutable ; 
And good he made thee, but to persevere 
He left it in thy pow'r ; ordain'd thy will 
By nature free, not over-rul'd by fate 
Inextricable, or strict necessity : 



BOOK v.] PARADISE LOST. 135 

Our voluntary service he requires, 

Not our necessitated ; such with him 

Finds no acceptance, nor can find ; for how 

Can hearts, not free, be try'd whether they servp } 

Willing or no, who will but what they must 

By destiny, and can no other choose ? 

Myself and all th' angelic host, that stand 

In sight of God enthron'd, our happy state 

Hold as you yours, while our obedience holds : 

On other surety none ; freely we serve, 

Because we freely love, as in our will 

To love or not ; in this we stand or fall ; 

And some are fall'n, to disobedience fall'nj 

And so from heav'n to deepest hell : fall 

From what high state of bliss into what wo ! 

To whom our great progenitor : Thy words 
Attentive, and with more delighted ear, 
Divine instructor, I have heard, than when 
Cherubic songs by night from neighb'ring hill 
Aereal music send ; nor know I not 
To be both will and deed created free ; 
Yet that we never shall forget to love 
Our Maker, and obey him whose command 
Single is yet so just, my constant thoughts 
Assur'd me, and still assure : though what thou tell'st 
Hath pass'd in heav'n, some doubt within me move, 
But more desire to hear, if thou consent, 
The full relation, which must needs be strange, 
Worthy of sacred silence to be heard ; 
And we have yet large day, for scarce the sun 
Hath finish'd half his journey, and scarce begins 
His other half in the great zone of heav'n. 

Thus Adam made request ; and Raphael 
After short pause assenting, thus began : 

High matter thou enjoin'st me, O prime of men, 
Sad task and hard ; for how shall I relate 
To human sense th' invisible exploits 
Of warring spirits ? how without remorse 
The ruin of so many glorious once, 



136 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK V 

And perfect while they stood ? how last unfold 

The secrets of another world, perhaps 

Not lawful to reveal ? yet for thy good 

This is dispens'd : and what surmounts the reach 

Of human sense, I shall delineate so. 

By liliening spiritual to corporeal forms, 

As may express them best ; though what if earth 

Be but the shadow of heav'n, and things therein 

Each to other like, more than on earth is thought ? 

As yet this world was not, and Chaos wild 
Reign'd where these heav'ns, now roll, where earth 

now rests 
Upon her centre pois'd ; w^hen on a day 
(For time, though in eternity, apply'd 
To motion, measures all things durable 
By present, past, and future,) on such day 
As heav'n 's gTeat year brings forth, th' empyreal host 
Of angels by imperial summons call'd 
Innumerable before th' Almighty's throne 
Forthwith from all the ends of heav'n appear'd 
Under their hierarchies in orders bright : 
Ten thousand thousand ensigns high advane'd, 
Standards and gonfalons 'tvvixt van and rear 
Stream in the air, and for distinction serve 
Of hierarchies, of orders, and degrees ; 
Or in their glittering tissues bear emblaz'd 
Holy memorials, acts of zeal and love 
Recorded eminent. Thus when in orbs 
Of circuit inexpressible they stood. 
Orb within orb, the Father infinite, 
By whom in bliss imbosom'd sat the Son, 
Amidst as from a flaming mount, whose top 
Brightness had made invisible, thus spake : 

Hear all ye angels, progeny of light, 
Thrones, dominations, princedoms, virtues, powers 
Hear my decree, which unrevok'd shall stand. 
This day I have begot whom I declare 
My only Son, and on this holy hill 
Him have anointed, whom ye now behold 



«JOOK v.] PARADISE LOST. 137 

At my right hand : your head I him appoint ; 
And by myself have sworn to him shall bow 
All knees in heav'n, and shall confess him Lord : 
Under his great vicegerent reign abide 
United as one individual soul 
For ever happy ; him who disobeys, 
Me disobeys, breaks union, and that day 
Cast out from God, and blessed vision, falls 
Into utter darkness, deep ingulf 'd, his place 
Ordain'd without redemption, without end. 

So spake th' Omnipotent, and with his words 
All seem'd well pleas'd : all seem'd, but were not all. 
That day, as other solemn days, they spent 
In song and dance about the sacred hill; 
Mystical dance, which yonder starry sphere 
Of planets and of fix'd in all her v/heels 
Resembles nearest, mazes intricate. 
Eccentric, intervolv'd, yet regular 
Then most, when most irregular they seem ; 
And in their motions harmony divine 
So smooths her charming tones, that God's own ear 
Listens delighted. Evening now approach'd 
(For we have also our evening and our morn, 
We ours for change delectable, not need,) 
Forthwith fpom dance to sweet repast they turn 
Desirous; all in circles as they stood. 
Tables are set, and on a sudden pil'd 
With angels' food, and rubied nectar flows 
In pearl, in diamond, and massy gold. 
Fruit of delicious vines, the growth of heav'n. 
On flow'rs repos'd, and with fresh flow'rets crown'd, 
They eat, they drink, and in communion sweet 
Quaff immortality and joy, secure 
Of surfeit where full measure only bounds 
Excess, before th' all-bounteous King, who show'r'd 
With copious hand, rejoicing in their joy. 
Now when ambrosial night with clouds exhal'd 
From that high mount of God, whence light and shade 
Spring both; the face of brightest heav'n had chang'd 
12* 



138 PARADISE LOST. [bOOR f. 

The grateful twilight (for night comes not there 

In darker veil,) and roseate dews dispos'd 

All but th' unsleeping eyes of God to rest ; 

Wide over the plain, and wider far 

Than all this globous earth in plain outspread 

(Such are the courts of God,) th' angelic throng, 

Dispers'd in bands and files, their camp extend 

By living streams among the trees of life, 

Pavilions numberless, and sudden rear'd 

Celestial tabernacles, where they slept 

Fann'd with cool winds ; save those who in their course 

Melodious hymn about the sov'reign throne 

Alternate, all night long : but not so wak'd 

Satan : so call him novr, his former name 

Is heard no more in heav'n ; he of the first, 

If not the first arch-angel, great in pow'r, 

In favour and pre-eminence, yet fraught 

With envy against the Son of God, that day 

Honour'd by his great Father, and proclaim'd 

Messiah King anointed, could not bear 

Through pride that sight, and thought himself impaired, 

Deep malice thence conceiving, and disdain ; 

Soon as midnight brought on the dusky hour 

Friendliest to sleep and silence, he resolv'd 

With all his legions to dislodge, and leave 

Unworship'd unobey'd the throne supreme 

Contemptuous, and his next subordinate 

Awak'ning, thus to him in secret spake : 

Sleep 'st thou, companion dear, what sleep can close 
Thy eye-lids ? and rememb'rest what decree 
Of yesterday, so late h^th pass'd the lips 
Of heaven's Almighty. Thou to me thy thoughts 
Wast wont, I mine to thee was wont t' impart : 
Both waking we were one ; how then can now 
Thy sleep dissent? New laws thou seest impos'd, 
New laws from him who reigns, new minds may raise 
In us who serve, new counsels, to debate 
What doubtful may ensue : moriS in this place 
To utter is not safe. Assemble thou 



IPOKV.] PARADISE LOST. 139 

Of all those myriads which we lead the chief; 
Tell them that by command, ere yet dim night 
Her shadowy cloud witndraws I am to haste, 
And all who under me their banners wave, 
Homeward with flying march where we possess 
The quarters of the north ; there to prepare 
Fit entertainment to receive our King, 
The great Messiah, and his new commands, 
Who speedily through all the hierarchies 
Intends to pass triumphant, and give laws. 

So spake the false arch-angel, and infus'd 
Bad influence into th' unwary breast 
Of his associate : he together calls, 
Or several one by one, the regent powers, 
Under him regent ; tells, as he was taught, 
That the most High commanding, now ere night, 
Now ere dim night had disencumber'd heav'n, 
The great hierarchial standard was to move ; 
Tells the suggested cause, and casts between 
Ambiguous words and jealousies, to sound 
Or taint integrity ; but all obey'd 
The wonted signal, and superior voice 
Of their great potentate ; for great indeed 
His name, and high was his degree in heav'n ; 
His countenance, as the morning star that guides 
The starry flocic, allur'd them, and with lies 
Drew after him the third part of heav'n's host. 
Meanwhile th' eternal eye, whose sight discerns 
Abstrusest thoughts, from forth his holy mount 
And from within the golden lamps that burn 
Nightly before him, saw without their light 
Rebellion rising, saw in whom, how spread 
Among the sons of morn, what multitudes 
Were banded to oppose his high decree; 
And smiling to his only Son thus said: 

Son, thou in whom my glory I behold 
In full resplendence, heir of all my might. 
Nearly it now concerns us to be sure 
Of our omnipotence, and with what arms 



140 PARADISfi LOST. [bOOK V 

We mean to hold what anciently we claim 
Of deity or empire ; such a foe 
Is rising, who intends to erect his throne 
Equal to ours, throughout the spacious north; 
Nor so content, hath in his thought to try 
In battle, what our pow'r is, or our right. 
Let us advise, and to this hazard draw 
With speed what force is left, and all employ 
In our defence, lest unawares we lose 
This our high place, our sanctuar}^, our hill. 

To whom the son vrith calm aspect and clear, 
Lightning divine, ineffable, serene, 
Made answer : Mighty Father, thou thy foes 
Justly hast in derision, and secure 
Laugh 'st at their vain designs and tumults vain. 
Matter to me of glory, whom their hate 
Illustrates, when they see all regal power 
Giv'n me to quell their pride, and in event 
Know whether I be dex'trous to subdue 
Thy rebels, or be found the worst in heav'n. 

So spake the Son ; but Satan with his powers 
Far was advanc'd on winged speed, a host 
Innumerable as the stars of night. 
Or stars of morning, dew-drops, which the sun 
Impearls on every leaf and every flower. 
Regions they pass'd, the mighty regencies 
Of seraphim, and potentates, and thrones, 
In their triple degrees : regions to which 
All thy dominion, Adam, is no more 
Than what this garden is to all the earth, 
And all the sea, from one entire globose 
Stretch'd into longitude ; which having pass'd 
At length into the limits of the north 
They came, and Satan to his royal seat 
High on a hill, far blazing as a mount 
Eais'd on a mount, with pyramids and towers 
From diamond quarries hewn, and rocks of gold, 
The palace of great Lucifer (so call 
That sti'ucture in the dialect of men 



Br)\DiL /. { PARADISE LCST. 141 

Interpreted,) which iiot long after, he 
Aftectmg all equality with God, 
In imitation of that mount Vv'hereon 
Messiah was declar'd in sight of heav'n, 
The Mountain of the Congregation call'd ; 
For thither he assembled all his train, 
Pretending so commanded to consult 
About the great reception of their king 
Thither to come, and with calumnious art 
Of counterfeited truth thus held their ears : 

Thrones, dominations, princedoms, virtues, powers, 
If these magnific titles yet remain 
Not merely titular, since by decree 
Another now hath to himself engross'd 
All power, and us eclips'd under the name 
Of king anointed, for whom all this haste 
Of midnight march, and hurried meeting here, 
This only to consult how we may best 
With what may be devis'd of honours new, 
Receive him coming to receive from us 
Knee-tribute yet unpaid, prostration vile, 
Too much to one, but double how endur'd, 
To one and to his image now proclaim'd ? 
But what if better counsels might erect 
Our minds, and teach us to cast off this yoke ? 
Will ye submit your necks, and choose to bend 
The supple knee ? ye will not, if I trust 
To know ye right, or if ye know yourselves 
Natives and sons of heav'n possess'd before 
By none, and if not equal all, yet free. 
Equally free ; for orders and degrees 
Jar not with liberty, but well consist. 
Who can in reason then or right assume 
Monarchy over such as live by right 
His equals, if in power and splendour less, 
In freedom equal ? or can introduce 
Law and edict on us, who without law 
Err not? much less for this to be our Lord, 
And look for adoration to ih' abuse 



I.j2 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK Y. 

Of those imperial titles, which assert 
Our being ordain'd to govern, not to server. 

Thus far his bold discourse without contro! 
Had audience, when among the seraphim, 
Abdiel, than whom none with more zeal ador'd 
The Deity, and divine commands obey'd^ 
Stood up, and in a flame of zeal severe 
The current of his fary thus oppos'd : 

O argument blasphemous, false and proud f 
Words which no e3:r ever to hear in heav'n 
Expected, least of all from thee, ingrate. 
In place thyself so high above thy peers. 
Canst thou with impious obloquy condenffin 
The just decree of God, pronounc'd and sworn, 
That to his only Son by right endued 
With regal sceptre, every soul in Heaven 
Shall bend the knee, and in that honour due 
Confess him rightful King? unjust, thou say'st, 
Flatly unjust, to bind Avith laws the free. 
And equal over equals to let reign, 
One over all with unsucceeded power. 
Shalt thou give law to God, shalt thou dispute 
With him the points of liberty ^ who made 
Thee what thou art, and form'd the powers of heav'n 
Such as he pleas'd, and circumscrib'd their being? 
Yet by experience taught we know how good, 
And of our good and of our dignity 
How provident he is, how far from thought 
To make us less, bent rather to exalt 
Our happy state under one head more near 
United. But to grant it thee unjust, 
That equal over equals monarch reign : 
Thyself though great and glorious dost thou counl, 
Or all angelic nature join'd in one, 
Equal to him begotten Son ? by whom 
As by his word the mighty Father made 
All thing's, e'en thee ; and all the spirits of heav*n 
By him created in their bright degrees, 
CroAvn'd them with glory, and to their glory nam*d 



SDOK v.] PARADISE LOST. 143 

Thrones, dominations, princedoms, virtues, powers. 
Essential pow'rs ; nor by his reign obscrir'd, 
But more illustrious made ; since he the head 
One of our number thus reduc'd becomes ; 
His laws our laws ; all honour to him done 
Returns our own. Cease then this impious rage, 
And tempt not these ; but hasten to appease 
Th' incensed Father^ and th' incensed Son, 
While pardon may be found in time besought. 

So spake the fervent angel ; but his zeal 
None seconded, as out of season judg'd. 
Or singular and rash, whereat rejoic'd, 
Th' apostate, and more haughty thus reply'd : 

That we were form'd then say'st thou ? and the work 
Of secondary hands, by task transferr'd 
From Father to his Son ? strange point and new ! 
Doctrine which we would know whence learn'd : who 

saw 
When this creation was ? remember'st thou 
Thy making, while the Maker gave thee being ? 
We know no time when we were not as now ; 
Know none before us, self-begot, self-rais'd 
By our own quick'ning pow'r, when fatal course 
Had circled his full orb, the birth mature 
Of this our native heav'n, ethereal sons. 
Our puissance is our own : our own right hand 
Shall teach us highest deeds, by proof to try 
Who is our equal : then thou shalt behold 
Whether by supplication we intend 
Address, and to begirt th' almighty throne 
Beseeching or besieging. This report, 
These tidings carry to th' anointed King j 
And fly, ere evil intercept thy flight. 

He said, and as the sound of waters deep, 
Hoarse murmur echo'd to his words applause 
Through the infinite host ; nor less for that 
The flaming seraph fearless, though alone, 
Encompass'd round with foes, thus answer'd bold: 



141 PARADISE LOST. ' [bOOK T. 

O alienate from God, O spirit accurs'd, 
Forsaken of all good ; I see thy fall 
DeteiiTiin'd, and thy hapless crew involv'd 
In this perfidious fraud, contagion spread 
Both of thy crime and punishment : henceforth 
No more be troubled how to quit the yoke 
Of God's Messiah : those indulgent laws 
Will not be now vouchsaf'd ; other decrees 
Against thee are gone forth without recal ; 
That golden sceptre, which thou didst reject, 
Is now an iron rod to bruise and break 
Thy disobedience. Well thou didst advise, 
Yet not for thy advice or threats I fly 
These wicked^ents devoted, lest the wrath 
Impendent, raging into sudden flame 
Distinguish not : for soon expect to feel 
His thunder on thy head, devouring fire. 
Then who created thee lamenting learn, 
When who can uncreate thee thou shall know. 

So spake the seraph Abdiel, faitliful foimd 
Among the faithless, faithful only he ; 
Among innumerable false, unmov'd, 
Unshaken, unseduc'd, uuterrify'd, 
His loyalty he kept, his love, his zeal ; 
Nor number, nor example with him wrought 
To swerve from truth, or change his constant mind 
Though single. From amidst them forth he pass'd, 
Long way through hostile scorn, which he sustaiii'd 
Superior, nor of violence fear'd ought ; 
And with retorted scorn his back he turn'd 
On those proud tow'rs to swift destruction doom'd 



END OF r ^OK FIFTH. 



SIXTH BOOK 

OF 

PARADISE LOST. 



THE ARGUMENT. 



Raphael continues to relate how Michael and Gabriel were seni 
forth to battle against Satan and his angels. The first fight de- 
scribed : Satan and his powers retire under night : he calls a 
council, invents devilish engines, which, in the second day's 
fight, put Michael and his angels to some disorder ; but they at 
length, pulling up mountains, overwhelmed both the force and 
machines of Satan : yet, the tumult not so ending, God on the 
third day, sends Messiah his son, for whom he had reserved the 
glory of that victory : he, in the power of his Father, coming to 
the place, and causing all his legions to stand still on either side, 
with his chariot and thunder driving into the midst of his ene- 
mies, pursues them, unable to resist, towards the wall of Heaven ; 
which opening, they leap down with horror and confusion into 
the place of punishment prepared for them in the deep : Messiah 
returns with triumph to hb father. 



PARADISE LOST. 



BOOK VI. 



All night the dreadless angel unpursu'd 

Through heav'n's wide champaign held his way ; till 

morn, 
Wak'd by the circling hours, with rosy hand 
Unbarr'd the gates of light. There is a cave 
Within the mount of God, fast by his throne, 
Where light and darkness in perpetual round 
Lodge and dislodge by turns, which makes through 

heav'n 
Grateful vicissitude, like day and night ; 
Light issues forth, and at the other door 
Obsequious darkness enters, till her hour 
To veil the heav'n, though darkness there might 

well 
Seem twilight here : and now went forth the morn 
Such as in highest heav'n, array 'd in gold 
Empyreal ; from before her vanish'd night, 
Shot through with orient beams ; when all the plain 
Cover'd with thick embattled squadrons bright, 
Chariots and flaming arms, and fiery steeds 
Reflecting blaze on blaze, first met his view : 
War he perceiv'd, war in procinct,^^ and found 
Already known, what he for news had thought 

* " War in procinct :'' war prepared, or ready- girded. 



148 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK TI 

To have reported : gladly then he mix'd 
Among those friendly pow'rs, who him receiv'd 
With joy and acclamations lotid, that one, 
That of so many myriads fall'n, yet one 
Return'd not lost : on to the sacred hill 
They led him high applauded, and present 
Before the seat supreme ; from whence a voice 
From midst a golden cloud thus mild was heard : 

Servant of God, well done, well hast thou fought 
The better fight, who single hast maintain'd 
Against revolted multitudes the cause 
Of truih, in word mightier than they in arms; 
And for the testimony of truth hast borne 
Universal reproach, far worse to bear 
Than violence ; for this was all thy care 
To stand approv'd, in sight of God, though worlds 
Judg'd thee perverse : the easier conquest now 
Remains thee, aided by this host of friends, 
Back on thy foes more glorious to return 
Than scorn'd thou didst depart, and to subdue 
By force, who reason for their law refuse, 
Right reason for their law, and for their King 
Messiah ; who by right of merit reigns. 
Go Michael of celestial armies prince. 
And thou in military prowess next 
Gabriel, lead forth to battle these my sons 
Invincible, lead forth my armed saints 
By thousands and by millions rang'd for fight, 
Equal in number to that godless crew 
Rebellious : them with fire and hostile arms 
Fearless assault, and to the brow of heav'n 
Pursuing drive them out from God and bliss 
Into their place of punishment, the gulf 
Of Tartarus, which ready opens wide 
His fiery chaos to receive their fall. 

So spake the sov'reign voice, and clouds began 
To darken all the hill, and smoke to roll 
In dusky wreaths, reluctant flames, the sign 
Of wrath awak'd ; nor with less dread the loud 



BOOK VI.l PARADISE LOST. 14.9 

Ethereal trumpet from on high 'gan blow : 
At which command the powers militant, 
That stood for heav'n, in mighty quadrate join'd 
Of union irresistable, mov'd on 
In silence their bright legions, to the sound 
Of instrumental harmony, that breath'd 
Heroic ardour to advent'rous deeds 
Under their godlike leaders, in the cause 
Of God and his Messiah. On they move 
Indissolubly firm ; nor obvious hill, 
Nor strait'ning vale, nor wood, nor stream divides 
Their perfect ranks ; for high above the ground 
Their march was, and the passive air upbore 
Their nimble tread ; as when the total kind 
Of birds, in orderly array on wing, 
Came summon'd over Eden to receive 
Their names of thee ; so over many a trax:t 
Of heav'n they march'd, and many a province wide 
Tenfold the length of this terrene : at last 
Far in th' horizon to the north appear'd 
From skirt to skirt a fiery region, stretch'd 
In battailous aspect, and nearer view 
Bristled with upright beams innumerable 
Of rigid spears, and helmets throng'd, and shields 
Various ; with boastful argument portray'd, 
The banded pow'rs of Satan hasting on 
With furious expedition ; for they ween'd 
That self-same day by fight, or by surprise, 
To win the mount of God, and on his throne 
To set the envier of his state, the proud 
Aspirer, but their thoughts prov'd fond and vain 
In the mid-way ; though strange to us it seem'd 
At first, that angel should with angel war, 
And in fierce hosting meet, who wont to meet 
So oft in festivals of joy and love 
Unanimous, as sons of one great sire 
Hymning th' eternal Father^; but the shout 
Of battle now began, and rushing sound 
Of onset ended soon each milder thought, 
13* ^ 



150 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK VI. 

High in the midst exalted as a God 

Th' apostate in his sun-bright chariot sat, 

Idol of majesty divine, enclos'd 

With flaming cherubim and golden shields ; 

Then lighted from his gorgeous throne, for now 

'Twixt host and host but narrow space wa*^ le^t 

A dreadful interval, and front to front 

Presented, stood in terrible array 

Of hideous length : before the cloudy van, 

On the rough edge of battle ere it join'd, 

Satan with vast and haughty strides advanc'd 

Came tow'ring, arm'd in adamant and gold: 

Abdiel that sight endur'd not, where he stood 

Among the mightiest, bent on highest deeds, 

And thus his own undaunted heart explores : 

O heav'n ! that such resemblance of the Highest 
Should yet remain, where faith and realty 
Remain not : wherefore should not strength and might 
There fail where virtue fails, or weakest prove 
Where boldest, though to sight unconquerable ? 
His puissance, trusting in th' Almighty's aid, 
I mean to try, whose reason I have try'd 
Unsound and false ; nor is it ought but just, 
That he who in debate of truth hath won, 
Should win in arms, in both disputes alike 
Victor : though brutish that contest, and foul, 
When reason hath to deal with force, yet so 
Most reason is that reason overcome. 

So pondering, and from his armed peers 
Forth stepping opposite, half-way he met 
His daring foe, at this prevention more 
Incens'd, and thus securely him defy'd : 

Proud, art thou met ? thy hope was to have reach 'd 
The height of thy aspiring unoppos'd. 
The throne of God'unguarded, and his side 
Abandon'd at the terror of thy power 
Or potent tongue : fool, not to think how vain 
Against th' Omnipotent to rise in arms ; 
Who out of smallest thino-s could without end 



BOOK VI.] PARADISE LOST. 151 

Have rais'd incessant armies to defeat 

Thy folly ; or with solitary hand 

Reaching beyond all limit, at one blow 

Unaided could have finish'd thee, and whelm'd 

Thy legions under darkness : but thou seest 

All are not of thy train ; there be who faith 

Prefer, and piety to God, though then 

To thee not visible, when I alone 

Seem'd in thy world erroneous to dissent 

From all : my sect thou seest ; now learn too late 

How few sometimes may know, when thousands err. 

Whom the grand foe with scornful eye askance 
Thus answer'd : 111 for thee, but in wish'd hour 
Of my revenge first sought, for thou return'st 
From flight, seditious angel, to receive 
Thy merited reward, the first assay 
Of this right hand provok'd, since first that tongue 
Inspired with contradiction durst oppose 
A third part of the gods, in synod met 
Their deities to assert, who while they feel 
Vigour divine within them, can allow 
Omnipotence to none. But well thou com'ct 
Before thy fellows, ambitious to win 
From me some plume, that thy success may show 
Destruction to the rest : this pause between 
(Unanswer'd lest thou boast) to let thee know ; 
At first I thought that liberty and heav'n 
To heavenly souls had been all one ; but now 
I see that most through sloth had rather serve, 
Minist'ring spirits, train'd up in feast and song ; 
Such hast thou arm'd, the minstrelsy of heav'n, 
Servility with freedom to contend, 
As both their deeds compar'd this day shall prove. 

To whom in brief thus Abdiel stern reply'd : 
Apostate, still thou err'st, nor end wilt find 
Of erring, from the path of truth remote : 
Unjustly thou deprav'st it with the name 
Of servitude to serve whom God ordains, 
Or Nature i God and Nature bid the same, 



152 PARADISE LOST. [boOK VI. 

When lie who rules is worthiest, and excels 
Them whom he governs. This is servitude 
To serve th' unwise, or him who hath rebell'd 
Against his worthier, as thine now serve thee, 
Thyself not free, but to thyself inthral'd ; 
Yet lewdly dar'st our minist'ring upbraid. 
Reign thou in hell thy kingdom ; let me serve 
In heav'n God ever blest, and his divine 
Behests obey, worthiest to be obey'd : 
Yet chains in hell, not realms expect : meanwhile 
From me return'd as erst thou saidst, from flight, 
This greeting on thy impious crest receive. 
So saying, a noble stroke he lifted high. 
Which hung not, but so swift with tempest fell 
On the proud crest of Satan, that no sight, 
Nor motion of swift thought, less could his shield 
Such ruin intercept : ten paces huge 
He back recoil'd ; the tenth on bended knee 
His massy spear upstay'd ; as if on earth. 
Winds under ground, or waters forcing way. 
Sidelong had push'd a mountain from his seat 
Half sunk with all his pines. Amazement soiz'd 
The rebel thrones, but greater rage to see 
Thus foil'd their mightiest ; ours joy iill'd, and shout 
Presage of victory, and fierce desire 
Of battle : whereat Michael bid sound 
Th' arch-angel trumpet : through the vast of heav'n 
It sounded, and the faithful armies rung 
Hosanna to the Highest : nor stood at gaze 
The adverse legions, nor less hideous join'd 
The horrid shock : now storming fury rose, 
And clamour such as heard in heav'n till no .v 
Was never; arms on armour clashing bray'd 
Horrible discord, and the madding wheels 
Of brazen chariots rag'd ; dire was the noi'sfi 
Of conflict ; over head the dismal hiss 
Of fiery darts in flaming vollies flew, 
And flying vaulted either host with fire : 
So undei ^-ery cope toget^-er rush'd 



BOOK VI.] PARADISE LOST. 153 

Both battles main, with ruinous assault 

And inextinguishable rage ; all heav'n 

Resounded, and had earth been then, all earth 

Had to her centre shook. What wonder ? when 

Millions of fierce encount'ring angels fought 

On either side, the least of whom could wield 

These elements, and arm him with the force 

Of all their regions : how much more of pow'r 

Army against army numberless to raise 

Dreadful combustion warring, and disturb. 

Though not destroy, their happy native seat ; 

Had not th' eternal King omnipotent 

From his strong hold of heav'n high over-rul'd 

And limited their might ; though number'd such 

As each divided legion might have seem'd 

A numerous host, in strength each armed hand 

A legion, led in fight yet leader seem'd 

Each warrior single as in chief, expert 

When to advance, or stand, or turn the sway 

Of battle, open when, and when to close 

The ridges of grim war : no thought of flight, 

None of retreat, no unbecoming deed 

That argued fear : each on himself rely'd, 

As only in his arm the moment lay 

Of victory : deeds of eternal fame 

Were done, but infinite : for wide was spread 

That war and various, sometimes on firm ground 

A standing fight, then soaring on main wing 

Tormented all the air ; all air seem'd then 

Conflicting fire : long time in even scale 

The battle hung : till Satan, who that day 

Prodigious pow'r had shown, and met in arms 

No equal, ranging through the dire attack 

Of fighting seraphim confus'd, at length 

Saw where the sword of Michael smote, and fell'd 

Squadrons at once ; with huge two-handed sway 

Brandish'd aloft the horrid edge came down 

Wide wasting ; such destruction to withstand 

He hasted, and oppos'd the rocky orb 



164 PARADISE LOST. [BOOK VI. 

Of tenfold adamant, his ample shield, 
A vast circumference : at his approach 
The great arch-angel from his warlike toil 
Surceas'd, and glad as hoping here to end 
Intestine war in heav'n, th' arch foe subdu'd 
Or captive dragg'd in chains, with hostile frown 
And visage all inflam'd first thus began : 

Author of evil, unknown till thy revolt, 
Unnam'd in heav'n, now plenteous, as thou seest 
These acts of hateful strife, hateful to all. 
Though heaviest by just measure on thyself 
And thy adherents : how hast thou disturb'd 
Heav'n's blessed peace, and into nature brought 
Misery, uncreated till the crime 
Of thy rebellion ? how hast thou instill'd 
Thy malice into thousands, once upright 
And faithful, now prov'd false ? But think not here 
To trouble holy rest ; heav'n cast thee out 
From all her confines. Heav'n the seat of bliss 
Brooks not the works of violence and war. 
Hence then, and evil go with thee along, 
Thy offspring, to the place of evil, hell, 
Thou and thy wicked crew ; there mingle broils, 
Ere this avenging sword begin thy doom, 
Or some more sudden vengeance wing'd from God 
Precipitate thee with augmented pain. 

So spake the prince of angels : to whom thus 
The adversary : Nor think thou with wind 
Of airy threats to awe whom yet with deeds 
Thou canst not. Hast thou turn'd the least of these 
To flight, or if to fall, but that they rise 
TJnvanquish'd, easier to transact with me, 
That thou shouldst hope, imperious, and with threats 
To chase me hence ? err not that so shall end 
The strife which thou call'st evil, but we style 
The strife of glory : which we mean to win. 
Or turn this heav'n itself into the hell 
Thou fablest, here however to dwell free, 
If not to reign : meanwhile thy utmost force, 



BOOK VI.] PARADISE LOST. 155 

And join him nam'd Almighty to thy aid, 

I fly not, but have sought thee far and nigh. 

They ended parle, and both address'd for fight 

Unspeakable ; for who, though with the tongue 

Of angels, can relate, or to what things 

Liken on earth conspicuous, that may lift 

Human imagination to such height 

Of godlike pow'r ? for likest gods they seem'd, 

Stood they or mov'd, in stature, motion, arms, 

Fit to decide the empire of great heav'n. 

Now wav'd their fiery swords, and in the air 

Made horrid circles ; two broad suns their shields 

Blaz'd opposite, while expectation stood 

In horror ; from each hand with speed retir'd. 

Where erst was thickest fight, th' angelic throng, 

And left large field, unsafe within the wind 

Of such commotion ; such as, to set forth 

Great things by small, if nature's concord broke, 

Among the constellations war were sprung, 

Two planets rushing from aspect malign 

Of fiercest opposition in mid sky 

Should combat, and their jarring spheres confound. 

Together both with next to almighty arm 

Up-lifted imminent, one stroke they aim'd 

That might determine, and not need repeat, 

As not of pow'r at once ; and odds appear'd 

In might or swift prevention : but the sword 

Of Michael from the armoury of God 

Was given him temper'd so, that neither keeri 

Nor solid might resist that edge : it met 

The sword of Satan with steep force to smite 

Descending, and in half cut sheer ; nor stay'd, 

But with swift wheel reverse, deep ent'ring shar'd 

All his right side : then Satan first knew pain, 

And writh'd him to and fro convolv'd : so sore 

The griding sword with discontinuous wound 

Pass'd through him : but th' etherial substance clos'd, 

Not long divisible ; and from the gash 

A stream of nect'rous humour, issuing flow'd 



156 , PARADISE LOST. [bOOK VI. 

Sanguine, such as celestial spirits may bleed, 
And all his armour stain'd erewhile so bright. 
Forthwith on all sides to his aid was run 
By angels many and strong, who interpos'd 
Defence, while others bore him on their shields 
Back to his chariot, where it stood retir'd 
From off the files of war ; there they him laid 
Gnashing for anguish, and despite and shame, 
To find himself not matchless, and his pride 
Humbled by such rebuke, so far beneath 
His confidence to equal God in pow'r. 
Yet soon he heal'd; for spirits that live throughout 
Vital in every part, not as frail man 
In entrails, heart or head, liver or reins, 
Cannot but by annihilating die ; 
Nor in their liquid texture mortal wound 
Receive, no more than can the fluid air ; 
All heart they live, all head, all eye, all ear, 
All intellect, all sense ; and as they please. 
They limb themselves, and colour, shape, or size 
Assume, as likes them best, condense or rare. 

Meanwhile in other parts like deeds deserv'd 
Memorial, where the might of Gabriel fought. 
And with fierce ensigns pierc'd the deep array 
Of Moloch furious king ; who him defy'd, 
And at his chariot wheels to drag him bound 
Threaten'd, nor from the Holy One of heav'n 
Refrain'd his tongue blasphemous ; but anon 
Down cloven to the waist, with shatter'd arms 
And uncouth pain fled bellowing. On each wing 
Uriel and Raphael his vaunting foe. 
Though huge, and in a rock of diamond arm'd, 
Vanquish'd Adramelech, and Asmadai, 
Two potent thrones, that to be less than gods 
Disdain'd, but meaner thoughts learn'd in their flight, 
Mangled with ghastly wounds through plate and maiL 
Nor stood unmindful Abdiel to annoy 
The atheist crew, but with redoubled blow 
Ariel and Arioch, and the violence 



BOOKV] PARADISE LOST. 157 

Of Ramial, scorch'd and blasted overthrew. 
I might relate of thousands, and their names 
Eternize here on earth : but those elect 
Angels contented with their fame in heav'n, 
Seek not the praise of men ; the other sort, 
In might though wondrous and in acts of war. 
Nor of renown less eager, yet by doom 
Cancel'd from heav'n and sacred memory, 
Nameless in dark oblivion let them dwell. 
For strength from truth divided and from just, 
lUaudable naught merits but dispraise 
And ignominy, yet to glory aspires 
Vain-glorious, and through infamy seeks fame ; 
Therefore eternal silence be their doom. 

And now their mightiest quell'd, the battle swerv'd 
With many an inroad gor'd ; deformed rout 
Enter'd, and foul disorder ; all the ground 
With shiver'd armour strown, and on a heap 
Chariot and charioteer lay overturn'd, 
And fiery foaming steeds ; what stood, recoil'd 
O'er-wearied, through the faint satanic host 
Defensive scarce, or with pale fear surpris'd, 
Then first with fear surpris'd and sense of pain. 
Fled ignominious, to such evil brought 
By sin of disobedience, till that hour 
Not liable to fear, or flight, or pain. 
Far otherwise th' inviolable saints 
In cubic phalanx firm advanc'd entire. 
Invulnerable, impenetrably arm'd ; 
Such high advantages their innocence 
Gave them above their foes, not to have sinn'd, 
Not to have disobey'd ; in fight they stood 
Unwearied, unobnoxious to be pain'd 
By wound, though from their place by violence mov'd 

Now night her course began, and over heav'n 
Inducing darkness, grateful truce impos'd, 
And silence on the odious din of war : 
Under her cloudy covert both retir'd, 
Victor and vanquish 'dj on the foughten field 
U 



158 PARADISE LOST. [BOOK VI. 

Michael and his angels prevalent 

Encamping, plac'd in guard their watches round, 

Cherubic waving fires : on th' other part 

Satan with his rebellious disappear'd, 

Far in the dark dislodg'd ; and void of rest, 

His potentates to council call'd by night ; 

And in the midst thus undismay'd began : 

now in danger try'd, now known in arms 
Not to be overpow'r'd, companions dear, 
Found worthy not of liberty alone, 
Too mean pretence, but what we more affect, 
Honour, dominion, glory, and renown ; 
Who have sustain'd one day in doubtful fight 
(And if one day, why not eternal days ?) 
What heav'n's Lord had pow'rfullest to send 
Against us from about his throne, and judg'd 
Sufficient to subdue us to his will, 
But proves not so ; then fallible it seems, 
Of future we may deem him, though till now 
Omniscient thought. True is, less firmly arm*(!. 
Some disadvantage we endur'd, and pain, 
Till now not known, but known as soon contemn'd ; 
Since now we find this our empyreal form 
Incapable of mortal injury, 
Imperishable, and though pierc'd with wound, 
Soon closing, and by native vigour heal'd. 
Of evil then so small as easy think 
The remedy ; perhaps more valid arms, 
Weapons more violent, when next we meet. 
May serve to better us, and worse our foes. 
Or equal what between us made the odds, 
In nature none : if other hidden cause 
Left them superior, while we can preserve 
Unhurt our minds and understanding sound, 
Due search and consultation will disclose. 

He sat ; and in th' assembly next upstood 
Nisroch, of principalities the prime ; 
As one he stood escap'd from cruel fight. 



BOOK VI.] PARADISE LOST. 1(J9 

Sore toil, his riven arms to havoc hewn, 
And cloudy in aspect thus answering spake: 

Deliverer from new lords, leader to free 
Enjoyment of our rights as gods ; yet hard 
For gods, and too unequal work we find, 
Against unequal arms to fight in pain, 
Against unpain'd, impassive ; from which evil 
Ruin must needs ensue ; for what avails 
Valour or strength, though matchless, quell'd with pain 
Which all subdues, and makes remiss the hands 
Of mightiest ? Sense of pleasure we may well 
Spare out of life perhaps, and not repine. 
But live content, which is the calmest life : 
But pain is perfect misery, the worst 
Of evils, and excessive, overturns 
All patience. He who therefore can invent 
With what more forcible we may offend 
Our yet unwounded enemies, or arm 
Ourselves with like defence, to me deserves 
No less than for deliverance what we owe. 

Whereto with look compos 'd Satan reply 'd : 
Not uninvented that, which thou aright 
Believ'st so main to our success, I bring 
Which of us who beholds the bright surface 
Of this etherous mould whereon w^e stand, 
This continent of spacious heav'n adorn'd 
With plant, fruit, flow'r ambrosial, gems and gold ; 
Whose eye so superficially surveys 
These things, as not to mind from whence they grow 
Deep under ground, materials dark and crude. 
Of spirituous and fiery spume, till touch'd 
With heaven's ray, and temper'd they shoot forth 
So beauteous, opening to the ambient light ? 
These in their dark nativity the deep 
Shall yield us pregnant with infernal flame , 
Which into hollow engines long and round 
Thick-ramm'd, at th' other bore with touch of fire 
Dilated and infuriate, shall send forth 
From far with thund'ring rK>ise among our foes 



160 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK VL 

Such implements of mischief, as shall dash 
To pieces, and o'erwhelm whatever stands 
Adverse, that they shall fear we have disarm 'd 
The Thund'rer of his only dreaded bolt. 
Nor long shall be our labour : yet ere dawn, 
Effect shall end our wish. Meanwhile revive ; 
Abandon fear ; to strength and council join'd 
Think nothing hard, much less to be despair'd. 

He ended, and his words their drooping cheer 
Efnlighten'd, and their languish'd hope reviv'd. 
Th' invention all admir'd, and each, how he 
To be th' inventor miss'd ; so easy it seem'd 
Once found, which yet unfound most would have tho't 
Impossible : yet haply of thy race 
In future days, if malice should abound, 
Some one intent on mischief, or inspir'd 
With dev'lish machination, might devise 
Like instrument to plague the sons of men 
For sin, on war and mutual slaughter bent. 
Forthwith from council to the work they flew ; 
Nor arguing stood ; innumerable hands 
Were ready ; in a moment up they turn'd 
Wide the celestial soil, and saw beneath 
Th' originals of nature in their crude 
Conception : sulphurous and nitrous-foam 
They found, they mingled, and with subtle art, 
Concocted and adusted they reduc'd 
To blackest grain, and into store convey'd ; 
Part hidden veins digg'd up (nor hath this earth 
Entrails unlike) of mineral and stone. 
Whereof to found their engines and their balls 
Of missive ruin ; part incentive reed 
Provide, pernicious with one touch to fire. 
So all ere day-spring, under conscious night 
Secret they finish'd, and in order set. 
With silent circumspection unespy'd. 

Now when fair morn orient in heav'n appear'd, 
Up rose the victor angels, and to arms 
The matin trumpet sung : in arms they stood 



BOOK VI.] PARADISE LOST. 16] 

Of golden panoply, refulgent host, 

Soon banded ; other from the dawning hills 

Look'd round, and scouts each coast, light-armed scour 

Each quarter, to descry the distant foe. 

Where lodg'd, or whither fled, or if for fight, 

In motion, or in halt ; him soon they met 

Under spread ensigns moving nigh, in slow 

But firm battalion ; back with speediest sail 

Zophiel, of cherubim the swiftest wing. 

Came flying, and in mid air aloud thus cry'd : 

Arm, warriors, arm for fight ; the foe at hand. 
Whom fled we thought, will save us long pursuit 
This day ; fear not his flight ; so thick a cloud 
He comes, and settled in his face I see 
Sad resolution and secure : let each 
His adamantine coat gird well, and each 
Fit well his helm, gripe fast his orbed shield. 
Borne even or high ; for this day will pour down, 
If I conjecture aught, no drizzling shower. 
But rattling storm o/ arrows barb'd with fire. 

So warn'd he them aware themselves, and soon 
In order, quit of all impediment, 
Instant without disturb they took alarm, 
And onward mov'd embattled : when behold 
Not distant far with heavy pace the foe 
Approaching gross and huge, in hollow cube 
Training his dev'lish enginery, empal'd 
On every side with shadowing squadrons deep, 
To hide the fraud. At interview both stood 
Awhile ; but suddenly at head appear'd 
Satan, and thus was heard commanding loud : 

Vanguard, to right and left the front unfold ! 
That all may see who hate us, how we seek 
Peace and composure, and with open breast 
Stand ready to receive them, if they like 
Our overture, and turn not back perverse ; 
But that I doubt : however witness heav'n, 
Heav'n witness thou anon, while we discharge 
Freely our part : ye who appointed stand, 
14 * 



162 PARADISE LOST. [BOOK VI. 

Do as you have in charge, and briefly touch 
What we propound, and loud that all may hear. 

So scoffing in ambiguous words, he scarce 
Had ended; when to right and left the front 
Divided, and to either flank retir'd : 
Which to our eyes discover'd, new and strange, 
A triple-mounted row of pillars laid 
On wheels, (for like to pillars most they seem'd, 
Or hollow'd bodies made of oak or fir, 
With branches lopt, in wood or mountain fell'd) 
Brass, iron, stony mould, had not their mouths 
With hideous orifice gap'd on us wide. 
Protending hollow truce : at each behind 
A seraph stood, and in his hands a reed 
Stood waving tipt with fire ; while we suspense, 
Collected stood within our thoughts amus'd, 
Not long, for sudden all at once their reeds 
Put forth, and to a narrow vent apply 'd 
With nicest touch. Immediate in a flame. 
But soon obscur'd with smoke, all heav'n appeared 
From those deep-throated engines belch'd, whose roar 
Embowel'd with outrageous noise the air, 
And all her entrails tore, disgorging foul 
Their dev'lish glut, chain 'd thunderbolts and hail 
Of iron globes ; which on the victor host 
Levell'd, with such impetuous fury smote, 
That whom they hit, none on their feet might stand, 
Though standing else as rocks, but down they fell 
By thousands, angel on arch-angel roll'd ; 
The sooner for their arms ; unarm'd they might 
Have easily as spirits evaded swift 
By swift contraction or remove ; but now 
Foul dissipation foUow'd and forc'd rout ; 
Nor serv'd it to relax their serried files. 
What should they do ? if on they rush'd, repulse 
Repeated, and indecent overthrow 
Doubled, would render them yet more despis'd, 
And to their foes a laughter ; for in view 
Stood rank'd of seraphim another row, 



BOOK VI.J PARADISE LOST. 163 

In posture to displode their second tier 

Of thunder : back defeated to return 

They worse abhorr'd. Satan beheld their plight, 

And to his mates thus in derision call'd : 

O friends, why come not on these victors proud ? 
Erewhile they fierce were coming ; and when we, 
To entertain them fair with open front 
And breast (what could we more ?) propounded terms 
Of composition, straight they changed their minds. 
Flew off, and into strange vagaries fell, 
As they would dance, yet for a dance they seem'd 
Somewhat extravagant and wild, perhaps 
For joy of offer'd peace : but I suppose. 
If our proposals once again were heard. 
We should compel them to a quick result. 

To whom thus Belial in like gamesom.e mood : 
Leader, the terms we sent were terms of weight. 
Of hard contents, and full of force urg'd home, 
Such as we might perceive amus'd them all, 
And stumbled many ; who receives them right 
Had need from head to foot well understand ; 
Not understood, this gift they have besides, 
They show us when our foes walk not upright. 

So they among themselves in pleasant vein 
Stood scoffing, heighten'd in their thoughts beyond 
All doubt of victory: eternal might 
To match with their inventions they presum'd. 
So easy, and of his thunder made a scorn. 
And all his host derided, while they stood 
Awhile in trouble : but they stood not long : 
Rage prompted them at length, and found them arms 
Against such hellish mischief fit t' oppose. 
Forthwith (behold the excellence, the pow'r, 
Which God hath in his mighty angels plac'd,) 
Their arms away they threw, and to the hills 
(For earth has this variety from heav'n 
Of pleasure situate in hill and dale,) 
Light as the lightning glimpse they ran, they flew ; 
Fiom their foundations loos'ning to and fro, 



164 PARADISE LOST. [boOK VI. 

They pluck'd the seated hills with all their load, 

Rocks, waters, woods, and by the shaggy tops 

Up-lifting bore them in their hands : amaze, 

Be sure, and terror seiz'd the rebel host, 

When coming towards them so dread they sav/ 

The bottom of the mountains upward turn'd ; 

Till on those cursed engines triple-row 

They saw them whelm'd, and all their confidence 

Under the weight of mountains buried deep ; 

Themselves invaded next, and on their heads 

Main promontories flung, which in the air 

Came shadowing, and oppress'd whole legions arm'd ; 

Their armour help'd their harm, crush'd in and 

bruis'd, 
Into their substance pent, which wrought them pain 
Implacable, and many a dolorous groan. 
Long struggling underneath, ere they could wind 
Out of such pris'n, though spirits of purest light, 
Purest at first, now gross by sinning grown. 
The rest in imitation to like arms 
Betook them, and the neighb'ring hills uptore ; 
So hills amid the air encounter'd hills 
Hurl'd to and fro with jaculation dire. 
That under ground they fought in dismal shade ; 
Infernal noise ; war seem'd a civil game 
To this uproar : horrid confusion heap'd 
Upon confusion rose : and now all heaven 
Had gone to wrack with ruin overspread, 
Had not th' almighty Father, where he sits 
Shrin'd in his sanctuary of heav'n secure, 
Consulting on the sum of things, foreseen 
This tumult, and permitted all, advis'd : 
That his great purpose he might so fulfil, 
To honour his anointed Son aveng'd 
Upon his enemies, and to declare 
All pow'r on him transferr'd : whence to his Son 
Th' assessor of his throne he thus began : 

Effulgence of my glory. Son belov'd, 
Son in whose face invisible is beheld 



BOOK VI.] PARADISE LOST, 165 

Visibly, what by deity I am, 

And in whose hand by what decree I do, 

Second Omnipotence, two days are past. 

Two days, as we compute the days of heav'n, 

Since Michael and his pow'rs went forth to tame 

These disobedient : sore hath been their fight, 

As likeliest was, when two such foes met arm'd ; 

For to themselves I left them, and thou know'st, 

Equal in their creation they were form'd, 

Save what sin hath impair'd, which yet hath wrought 

Insensible, for I suspend their doom ; 

Whence in perpetual fight they needs must last 

Endless, and no solution will be found : 

War wearied hath perform'd what war can do. 

And to disorder'd rage let loose the reins, 

With mountains as with weapons arm'd, which makes 

Wild work in heav'n, and dang'rous to the main. 

Two days are therefore past, the third is thine ; 

For thee I have ordain'd it, and thus far 

Have sufier'd, that the glory may be thine 

Of ending this great war, since none but Thou 

Can end it. Into thee such virtue and grace 

Immense I have transfus'd, that all may know 

In heav'n and hell thy pow'r above compare ; 

And this perverse commotion govern'd, thus 

To manifest thee worthiest to be heir 

Of all things, to be heir, and to be King 

By sacred unction, thy deserved right. 

Go then thou mightiest in thy Father's might, 

Ascend my chariot, guide the rapid wheels 

That shake heav'n's basis, bring forth all my war, 

My bow and thunder, my almighty arms 

Gird on; and sword upon thy puissant thigh, 

Pursue these sons of darkness, drive them out 

From all heav'n's bounds into the utter deep : 

There let them learn, as likes them, to despise 

God and Messiah his annointedKing. 

He said, and on his Son with rays direct 
Shone full : he all his Father full express'd 



166 



PARADISE LOST. [TBOOK VI. 



Ineffably into his face receiv'd ; 

And thus the filial Godhead answering spake ; 

O Father, O Supreme of heav'nly Thrones, 
First, highest, holiest, best, thou always seek'st 
To glorify thy Son, I always thee. 
As is most just; this I my glory account. 
My exaltation, and my whole delight. 
That thou in me well pleas'd, declar'st thy will 
Fulfill'd, which to fulfil is all my bliss. 
Sceptre and pow'r, thy giving, I assume, 
And gladlier shall resign, when in the end 
Thou shalt be all in all, and I in thee 
For ever, and in me all whom thou lov'st : 
But whom thou hat'st, I hate, and can put on 
Thy terrors, as I put thy mildness on, 
Image of thee in all things ; and shall soon, 
Arm'd with thy might, rid heav'n of these rebell'd, 
To their prepar'd ill mansion driven down, 
To chains of darkness, and th' undying worm, 
That from thy just obedience could revolt, 
Whom to obey is happiness entire. 
Then shall thy saints unmix'd, and from th' impure 
Far separate, circling thy holy mount 
Unfeigned hallelujahs to thee sing, 
Hymns of high praise, and I among them chief. 

So said, he o'er his sceptre bowing, rose 
From the right hand of glory where he sat ; 
And the third sacred morn began to shine. 
Dawning through heav'n : forth rush'd with whirl- 
wind sound 
The chariot of paternal Deity, 

Flashing thick flames, wheel within wheel undrawn, 
Itself instinct with spirit, but convoy'd 
By four cherubic shapes ; four faces each 
Had wondrous ; as with stars their bodies all, 
And wings were set with eyes, with eyes the wheels 
Of beril, and careering fires between ; 
Over their heads a crystal firmament. 
Whereon a sapphire throne, inlaid with pure 



BOOK VI.] PARADISE LOST. 167 

Amber, and colours of the show'ry arch. 

He in celestial panoply all arm'd 

Of radiant urim, work divinely wrought, 

Ascended ; at his right hand victory 

Sat eagle-wing'd : beside him hung his bow 

And quiver with three-bolted thunder stor'd, 

And from about him fierce effusion roll'd 

Of smoke and bickering flame and sparkles dire : 

Attended with ten thousand thousand saints. 

He onward came, far off his coming shone ; 

And twenty thousand (I their number heard) 

Chariots of God, half on each hand were seen : 

He on the wings of cherub rode sublime 

On the crystaline sky, in sapphire thron'd 

Illustrious far and wide, but by his own 

First seen; then unexpected joy surpris'd 

When the great ensign of Messiah blaz'd 

Aloft by angels borne, his sign in heaven; 

Under whose conduct Michael soon reduc'd 

His army, circumfus'd on either wing, 

Under their head embodied all one. 

Before him pow'r divine his way prepar'd; 

At his command th' uprooted hills retir'd 

Each to his place ; they heard his voice, and went 

Obsequious ; heav'n his wonted face renew'd, 

And with fresh flow'rets hill and valley smil'd. 

This saw his hapless foes, but stood obdur'd, 

And to rebellious fight rallied their powers 

Insensate, hope conceiving from despair. 

In heavenly spirits could such perverseness dwell ? 

But to convince the proud what signs avail, 

Or wonders move the obdurate to relent ? 

They harden'd more by what might most reclaim, 

Grieving to see his glory, at the sight 

Took envy : and aspiring to his height, 

Stood re-embattled fierce, by force or fraud 

Weening to prosper, and at length prevail 

Against God and Messiah, or to fall 

In universal ruin last ; and now 



168 PARADISE LOST. [BOOK VI 

To final battle dreAV, disdaining flight, 

Or faint retreat ; when the great Son of God 

To all his host on either hand thus spake : 

Stand still in bright array, ye saints, here stand 
Ye angels arm'd, this day from battle rest ; 
Faithful hath been your warfare, and of God 
Accepted, fearless in his righteous cause, 
And as ye have receiv'd, so have ye done 
Invincibly; but of this cursed crew 
The punishment to other hand belongs ; 
Vengeance is his, or whose he sole appoints ; 
Number to this day's work is not ordain'd, 
Nor multitude ; stand only and behold 
God's indignation on these godless pour'd 
By me ; not you but me they have despis'd, 
Yet envied ; against me is all their rage. 
Because the Father, t' whom in heav'n supreme 
Kingdom and pow'r and glory appertains, 
Hath honour'd me according to his will. 
Therefore to me their doom he hath assign'd 
That they may have their wish, to try with me 
In battle which the stronger proves, they all, 
Or I alone against them, since by strength 
They measure all, of other excellence 
Not omulous, nor care who them excels ; 
Nor other strife with them do I vouchsafe. 

So spake the Son, and into terror chang'd 
His count'nance too severe to be beheld, 
And full of wrath bent on his enemies. 
At once the four spread out their starry wings 
With dreadful shade contiguous, and the orbs 
Of his fierce chariot roll'd, as with the sound . 
Of torrent floods, or of a numerous host. 
He on his impious foes right onward drove, 
Gloomy as night ; under his burning wheels 
The steadfast empyrean shook throughout, 
All but the throne itself of God. Full soon 
Among them he arriv'd, in his right hand 
Grasping ten thousand thunders, which he sent 



BOOK VI.] PARADISE LOST. 169 

Before him, such as in their souls infix'd 

Plagues ; they astonish'd all resistance lost, 

All courage : down their idle weapons dropt ; 

O'er shields and helms and helmed heads he rode 

Of thrones and mighty seraphim prostrate, 

That wish'd the mountains now might be again 

Thrown on them as a shelter from his ire. 

Nor less on either side tempestuous fell 

His arrows, from the four -fold visag'd four 

Distinct with eyes and from the living wheels 

Distinct alike with multitude of eyes ; 

One spirit in them rul'd, and every eye 

Glar'd lightning, and shot forth pernicious fire 

Among th' accurs'd, that wither'd all their strength, 

And of their wonted vigour left them drain'd, 

Exhausted, spiritless, afflicted, fall'n. 

Yet half his strength he put not forth, but check'd 

His thunder in mid volley ; for he meant 

Not to destroy, but root them out of heav'n : 

The overthrown he rais'd, and as a herd 

Of goats or timorous flock together throng'd 

Drove them before him thunderstruck, pursued 

With terrors and with furies to the bounds 

And crystal wall of heav'n, which opening wide, 

Roll'd inward, and a spacious gap disclos'd 

Into the wasteful deep ; the monstrous sight 

Struck them with horror backward, but far AVorse 

Urg'd them behind ; headlong themselves they threw 

Down from the verge of heaven ; eternal wrath 

Burnt after them to the bottomless pit. 

Hell heard th' unsuflerable noise, hell saw 
Heav'n ruining from heav'n, and would have fled 
Affrighted; but strict fate had cast too deep 
Her dark foundations, and too fast had bound. 
Nine days they fell ; confounded Chaos roar'd, 
And felt tenfold confusion in their fall 
Through his wild anarchy, so huge a rout 
Encumber' d him wit'n ruin : hell at last 
Vawning receiv'd them whole, and on them clos'd; 
15 



170 PARADISE LOST. [BOOK VI. 

Hell their fit habitation fraught with fire 
Unquenchable, the house of wo and pain. 
Disburden'd heav'n rejoic'd, and soon repair'd 
Her mural breach, returning whence it roll'd. 
Sole victor from the expulsion of his foes 
Messiah his triumphal chariot turn'd : 
To meet him all his saints, who silent stood 
Eye-witnesses of his almighty acts, 
With jubilee advanc'd : and as they went, 
Shaded with branching palm, each order bright, 
Sung triumph, and him sung victorious King, 
Son, Heir, and Lord, to him dominion giv'n 
Worthiest to reign : he celebrated rode 
Triumphant through mid heav'n into the courts 
And temple of his mighty Father thron'd 
On high ; who into glory him receiv'd 
Where now he sits at the right hand of bliss. 

Thus measuring things in heav'n by things on earth, 
At thy request, and that thou may'st beware 
By what is past, to thee I have reveal'd 
What might have else to human race been hid ; 
The discord which befel, and war in heav'n 
Among th' angelic pow'rs, and the deep fall 
Of those too high aspiring, who rebell'd 
With satan ; he who envies now thy state, 
Who now is plotting how he may seduce 
Thee also from obedience, that with him 
Bereav'd of happiness thou may'st partake 
His punishment, eternal misery ; 
Which would be all his solace and revenge, 
As a despite done against the most High, 
Thee once to gain companions of his wo. 
But listen not to his temptations, warn 
Thy weaker ; let it profit thee t' have heard 
By terrible example the reward 
Of disobedience ; firpi they might have stood, 
Yet fell; remember, and fear to transgress. 

END 0? THE SIXTH BOOK. 



THE 

SEVENTH BOOK 

OF 

PARADISE LOST. 



THE AP^4nMENT. 



Rapiiaei-, o( the request of Adam, relates how and wherefore this 
world was first created : that God, after the expelling of Satan 
and his angels out of Heaven, declared his pleasure to create 
anotlier world and other creatures to dwell therein ; sends his Son 
vyith glory and attendence of angels, to perform the work of crea- 
tion in six days : the angels celebrate with hymns the perfor- 
mance thereof, and his re-ascension into Heaven. 



PARADISE LOST 



BOOK VII. 



Descend from heav'n, Urania, by that name, 
If rightly thou art call'd, whose voice divine 
Following, above th' Olympian hill I soar, 
Above the flight of Pegasean wing. 
The meaning, not the name I call : for thou 
Nor of the muses nine, nor on the top 
Of old Olympus dwell'st, but heav'nly born, 
Before the hills appear'd, or fountain flow'd, 
Thou with eternal Wisdom didst converse. 
Wisdom thy sister, and with her didst play 
In presence of th' almighty Father, pleas'd 
With thy celestial song. Up led by thee 
Into the Heav'n of heav'ns I have presum'd, 
An earthly guest, and drawn empyreal air, 
Thy temp'ring ; with like safety guided down 
Return to me my native element : 
Lest from this flying steed unrein'd (as once 
Bellerophon, though from a lower clime,) 
Dismounted, on th' Aleian field I fall 
Erroneous there to wander, and forlorn. 
Half yet remains unsung, but narrower bound 
Within the visible diurnal sphere ; 
Standing on earth, not rapt above the pole, 
More safe I sing with mortal voice, unchang'd 
To hoarse or mute, though fall'n on evil days, 
16* 



174 PARADISE LOST. [boOK VII. 

On evil days though fall'n, and evil tongues ; 
In darkness, and with dangers compass'd round, 
And solitude : yet not alone, while thou 
Visit'st my slumbers, nightly, or when morn 
Purples the east : still govern thou my song, 
Urania, and fit audience find, though few. 
But drive far off the barbarous dissonance 
Of Bacchus and his revellers, the race 
Of that wild rout that tore the Thracian bard 
In Rhodope, where woods and rocks had ears 
To rapture, till the savage clamour drown 'd 
Both harp and voice ; nor could the Muse defend 
Her son. So fail not thou, who thee implores : 
For thou art heav'nly, she an empty dream. 

Say, goddes" what ensued when Raphael, 
The affable af .A-angel, had forewarn'd 
Adam by dire example to beware 
Apostacy, by what befel in heav'n 
To those apostates, lest the like befal 
In Paradise to Adam or his race, 
Charg'd not to touch the interdicted tree. 
If they transgress, and slight that sole command, 
So easily obey'd amid the choice 
Of all tastes else to please their appetite. 
Though wand'ring. He with his consorted Eve 
The story heard attentive, and was fill'd 
With admiration and deep muse, to hear 
Of things so high and strange, things to their thought 
So unimaginable as hate in heav'n, 
And war so near the peace of God in bliss 
With such confusion : but the evil soon 
Driv'n back redounded as a flood on those 
From whom it sprung, impossible to mix 
With blessedness. Whence Adam soon repeal'd 
The d'oubts that in his heart arose : and now 
Led on, yet sinless, with desire to know 
What nearer might concern him, how this world 
Of heav'n and earth conspicuous first began, 
When and whereof created, for what cause, 



BOOK VII.] PARADISE LOST. 175 

What within Eden or without was done 
Before his memory, as one whose drought 
Yet scarce allay'd, still eyes the current stream, 
Whose liquid murmur heard new thirst excites, 
Proceeded thus to ask his heav'nly guest : 

Great things, and full of wonder in our ears, 
Far differing from this world thou hast reveal'd. 
Divine interpreter, by favour sent 
Down from the empyrean to forewarn 
Us timely of what might else have been our loss. 
Unknown, which human knowledge could not reach • 
For which to th' infinitely Good we owe 
Immartal thanks, and his admonishment 
Receive with solemn purpose to observe 
Immutably his sov'reign will, the end 
Of what we are. But since thou hast vouchsafd 
Gently for our instruction to impart 
Things above earthly thought, which yet concern'd 
Our knowing, as to highest wisdom seem'd, 
Deign to descend now lower, and relate 
What may no less perhaps avail to know, 
How first began this heav'n which we beholvl 
Distant so high, with moving fires adorn'd 
Innumerable, and this which yields or fills 
All space, the ambient air wide interfus'd 
Embracing round this floral earth, what r«^use 
Mov'd the Creator in his holy rest 
Through all eternity so late to build 
In Chaos, and the work begun, how soon 
Absolv'd, if unforbid thou mayst unfold 
What we, not to explore the secrets ask 
Of his eternal empire, but the more 

o magnify his works, the more we know. 
And the great light of day yet wants to run 
Much of his race though steep ; suspense in heav'n, 
Held by thy voice, thy potent voice he hears, 
And longer will delay to hear thee tell 
His generation, and the rising birth 
Of nature from the unnapparent deep : 



176 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK VII. 

Or if the star of evening and the moon 
Haste to thy audience, night with her will bring 
Silence, and sleep list'ning to thee will watch, 
Or we can bid his absence, till thy song 
End and dismiss thee ere the morning shine. 
Thi;5 Adam his illustrious guest besought : 
And thus the godlike angel answer'd mild : 
This also thy request with caution ask'd, 
Obtain : though to recount almighty works, 
What words or tongue of seraph can suffice, 
Or heart of man suffice to comprehend ? 
Yet what thou canst attain, which best may serve 
To glorify the Maker, and infer 
Thee also happier, shalt not be withheld 
Thy hearing, such commission from above 
I have receiv'd, to answer thy desire 
Of knowledge within bounds ; beyond abstain 
To ask, nor let thine own inventions hope 
Things not reveal'd, which th' invisible King, 
Only omniscient, hath suppress'd in night, 
To none communicable in earth or heav'n : 
Enough is left besides to search and know. 
But knowledge is as food, and needs no less 
Her temp'rance over appetite, to know 
In measure what the mind may well contain ; 
Oppresses else with surfeit, and soon turns 
Wisdom to folly, as nourishment to wind. 
Know then, that after Lucifer from heav'n 
(So call him, brighter once amidst the host 
Of angels, than that star the stars among,) 
Fell with his flaming legions through the deep 
Into his place, and the great Son return'd ^' 

Victorious with his saints, th' omnipotent 
Eternal Father from his throne beheld 
Their multitude, and to his Son thus spake : 

At last our envious foe hath fail'd, who thought, 
All like himself rebellious, by whose aid 
This innaccessible high strength, the seat 
Of Deity supreme, us dispossess'd. 



BOOK Vll.] PARADISE LOST. 177 

He trusted to have seiz'd, and into fraud 

Drew many, whom their place knows here no more ; 

Yet far the greater part have kept, I see, 

Their station, heav'n 3'-et populous retains 

Number sufficient to possess her realms 

Though wide, and this high temple to frequent 

With ministeries due, and solemn rites : 

But lest his heart exalt him in the harm 

Already done, to have dispeopled heav'n, 

My damage fondly deem'd, I can repair 

That detriment, if such it be to lose 

Self-lost, and in a moment will create 

Another world, out of one man a race 

Of men innumerable, there to dwell. 

Not here, till by degrees of merit rais'd, 

They open to themselves at length the way 

Up hither, under long obedience try'd, 

And earth be chang'd to heav'n, and heav'n to earth 

One kingdom, joy and union without end. 

Meanwhile inhabit lax, ye pow'rs of heav'n, 

And thou my Word, begotten Son, by thee 

This I perform, speak thou, and be it done : 

My overshadoAving spirit and might with thee 

I send along; ride forth, and bid the deep 

Within appointed bounds be heav'n and earth, 

Boundless the deep, because I am who fill 

Infinitude, nor vacuous the space. 

Though I uncircumscrib'd myself retire, 

And put not forth my goodness, which is free 

To act or not, necessity and chance 

Approach not me, and what I will is fate. 

So spake th' Almight}?-, and to what he spake, 
His Word, the filial Godhead, gave efiect. 
Immediate are the acts of God, more swift 
Than time or motion, but to human ears 
Cannot without process of speech be told, 
So told as earthly notion can receive. 
Great triumph and rejoicing was in heav'n, 
When such was heard declar'd th' Almighty's will ; 



178 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK VII. 

Glory they sung to the most High, good will 

To future men, and in their dwellings peace : 

Glory to him, whose just avenging ire 

Had driven out th' ungodly from his sight, 

And th' habitations of the just ; to him 

Glory and praise, whose wisdom had ordain'd 

Good out of evil to create, instead 

Of spirits malign a better race to bring 

Into their vacant room, and thence diffuse 

His good to worlds and ages infinite. 

i So sang the hierarchies : meanwhile the Son 

On his great expedition now appear'd, 

Girt with omnipotence, w4th radiance crown'd 

Of majesty divine ; sapience and love 

Immense, and all his Father in him shone. 

About his chariot numberless were pour'd 

Cherub and seraph, potentates and thrones, 

And virtues, wing'd spirits, and chariots wing*d 

From th' armoury of God, where stand of old 

Myriads between two brazen mountains lodg'd 

Against a solemn day, harness'd at hand. 

Celestial equipage ; and now came forth 

Spontaneous, for within them spirits liv'd. 

Attendant on their Lord : heav'n open'd wide 

Her ever-during gates, harmonious sound 

On golden hinges moving, to let forth 

The King of Glory in his pow'rful word 

And spirit coming to create new worlds. 

On heav'nly ground they stood, and from the shore 

They view'd the vast immeasurable abyss, 

Outrageous as a sea, dark, wasteful, wild, 

Up from the bottom turn'd by furious winds 

And surging waves, as mountains, to assault 

Heav'n's height, and with the centre mix the pole. 

Silence, ye troubled waves, and thou deep, peace, 

Said then th' omnific Word, your discord end : 

Nor stay'd, but on the wings of cherubim 

Uplifted, in paternal glory rode 

Far into Chaos, and the world unborn ; 



BOOK VII.] PARADISE LOST. 179 

For Chaos heard his voice : him all his train 
FoUow'd in bright procession to behold 
Creation, and the wonders of his might. 
Then stay'd the fervid wheels, and in his hand 
He took the golden compasses, prepar'd 
In God's eternal store, to circumscribe 
This universe, and all created things : 
One foot he centred, and the other turn'd 
Round through the vast profundity obscure, 
And said Thus far extend, thus far thy bounds, 
This be thy just circumference, O world ; 
Thus God the heav'n created, thus the earth, 
Matter unform'd and void ; darkness profound 
Cover'd th' abyss : but on the wat'ry calm 
His brooding wings the spirit of God outspread, 
And vital virtue infus'd, and vital warmth 
Throughout the fluid mass, but downward purg'd 
The black tartai sous cold, infernal dregs 
Adverse to life i then founded, then conglob'd 
Like things to like, the rest to several place 
Disparted, and between spun out the air, 
And earth self-balanc'd on her centre hung. 
] Let there be light, saif ^od, and forthwith light 
I Etherial first, of things, ( nintessence pure, 
Sprung from the deep, an I from her native east 
To journey the airy gloom began, 
\ Spher'd in a radient cloud, for yet the sun 
Was not ; she in a cloud} tabernacle 
Sojourn'd the while. God saw the light was good; 
And light from darkness by the hemisphere 
Divided: light the day, aci darkness, night 
He nam'd. Thus was the first day ev'n and mom ; 
Nor past uncelebrated, nor unsung 
By the celestial choirs, when orient light 
Exhaling first from darkness they beheld ; 
Birth-day of heav'n and earth ; with joy and shout 
The hollow universal orb they fill'd, 
And touch 'd their golden harps, and hymning prais'd 



180 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK VH. 

God and his works, Creator him they sung, 
Both when first evening was, and when first morn. 

Again, God said, let there be firmament 
Amid the waters, and let it divide 
The waters from the waters : and God made 
The firmament, expanse of liquid, pure, 
Transparent, elemental air, diffus'd 
In circuit to the uttermost convex 
Of this great round : partition firm and sure. 
The waters underneath from those above 
Dividing : for as earth, so he the world 
Built on circumfluous waters calm, in wide 
Crystalline ocean, and the loud misrule 
Of Chaos far remov'd, lest fierce extremes 
Contiguous might distemper the whole frame . 
And heav'n he nam'd the firmament : so even 
And morning chorus sung the second day. 

The earth was form'd, but in the womb as yei 
Of waters, embryon immature involv'd, 
Appear'd not : over all the face of earth 
Main ocean flow'd, not idle, but with warm 
Prolific humour soft'ning all her globe. 
Fermented the great mother to conceive, 
Satiate with genial moisture, when God s,-\id, 
Be gaiher'd now ye waters under heav'n 
Into one place, and let dry land appear. 
Immediately the mountains huge appear 
Emergent, and their broad bare backs upheave 
Into the clouds, their tops ascend the sky : 
So high as heav'd the tumid hills, so low 
Down sunk a hollow bottom broad and deep, 
Capacious bed of waters : thither they 
Hasted with glad precipitance, uproll'd 
As drops on dust conglobing from the dry ; 
Part rise in crystal wall, or ridge direct, 
For haste : such flight the great command impress? 'd 
On the swift floods : as armies at the call 
Of trumpet (for of armies thou hast heard) 
Troop to their standard, so the wat'ry throng, 



lOOK VII.] PARADISE LOST. 181 

Wave rolling after wave, where way they found, 

If steep, with torrent rapture, if through plain, 

Soft-ebbing; nor withstood them rock or hill, 

But they, or under ground, or circuit wide 

With serpent error wand'ring, found their way, 

And on the washy ooze deep channels wore ; 

Easy, ere God had bid the ground be dry, 

All but within those banks, where rivers now 

Stream, and perpetual draw their humid train. 

The dry land, earth, and the great receptacle 

Of congregated waters he call'd seas : 

And saw that it was good, and said. Let th' earth 

Put forth the verdant grass, herb yielding seed. 

And fruit-tree yielding fruit after her kind, 

Whose seed is in herself upon the earth. 

He scarce had said, when the bare earth, till then 

Desert and bare, unsightly, unadorn'd. 

Brought forth the tender grass, whose verdure clad 

Her universal face with pleasant green. 

Then herbs of every leaf, that sudden flow'r'd 

Opening their various colours, and made gay 

Her bosom, smelling sweet : and these scarce blown, 

Forth fiourish'd thick the clust'ring vine, forth crept 

The smelling gourd, up stood the corny reed 

Embattled in her field ; and th' humble shrub, 

And bush with frizzled hair implicit ; last 

Rose as in dance the stately trees, and spread 

Their branches hung with copious fruit, or gemm'd 

Their blossoms : with high woods the hills vp-ere 

crown'd. 
With tufts the valley and each fountain side. 
With borders long the rivers : that earth now 
Seem'd like to heav'n, a seat where gods might dwell 
Or wander with delight, and love to haunt 
Her sacred shades : though God had yet not rain'd 
Upon the earth, and man to till the ground 
None was, but from the earth a dewy mist 
Went up and water 'd all the ground, and each 
Plant of the field, which ere it was in th' earth 
16 



182 ARADISE LOST. [bOOK VH. 

God made, and every herb, before it grew 

On the green stem ; God saw that it was good : 

So ev'n and morn recorded the third day. 

Again the Almighty spake, Let there be lights 
High in th' expanse of heaven to divide 
The day from night ; and let them be for signs, 
For seasons, and for days, and circling years, 
And let them be for lights as I ordain 
Their office in the firmament of heav*n 
To give light on the earth ; and it was so. 
And God made two great lights, great for their use 
To man, the greater to have rule by day, 
The less by night altern : and made the stars, 
And set them in the firmament of heav'n 
T' illuminate the earth, and rule the day 
In their vicissitude, and rule the night, 
And light from darkness to divide. God saw, 
Surveying his great work, that it was good : 
For of celestial bodies, first the sun 
A mighty sphere he fram'd, unlightsome first, 
Though of ethereal mould : then form'd the moon 
Globose, and every magnitude of stars, 
And sow'd with stars the heav'n thick as a field ; 
Of light by far the greater part he took, 
Transplanted from her cloudy shrine, and plac'd 
In the sun's orb, made porous to receive 
And drink the liquid light, firm to retain 
Her gather 'd beams, great palace now of light. 
Hither as to their fountain other stars 
Repairing, in their golden urns draw light. 
And hence the morning planet gilds her horns ; 
By tincture or reflection they augment 
Their small peculiar, though from human sight 
So far remote, with diminution seen. 
First in his east the glorious lamp was seen, 
Regent of day, and all th' hoTizon round 
Invested with bright rays, jocund to run 
His longitude through heav'n's high road ; the grey 
Da^\^l and the Pleiades before him dane'd. 



BOOK VII.] PARADISE LOST. 183 

Shedding sweet influence ; less bright the moon, 

But opposite in level'd west was set 

His mirror, with full face borrowing her light 

From him, for other light she needed none 

In that aspect, and still that distance keeps 

Till night, then in the east her turn she shines, 

Revolv'd on heav'n's great axle, and her reign 

With thousand lesser lights dividual holds, 

With thousand thousands stars, that then appeared 

Spangling the hemisphere : then first adorn'd 

With their bright luminaries that set and rose, 

Glad evening and glad morn crowri'd the fourth day. 

And God said. Let the waters generate 
Reptile with spawn abundant, living soul: 
And let fowl fly above the earth, with wings 
Display'd on th' open firmament of heav'n. 
And God created the great whales, and each 
Soul living, each that crept, which plenteously 
The waters generated by their kinds, 
And every bird of wing after his kind ; 
And saw that it was good, and bless'd them saying, 
Be fruitful, multiply, and in the seas 
And lakes and running streams the waters fill : 
And let the fowl be multiply'd on th' earth. 
Forthwith the sounds and seas, each creek and bay 
With fry innumerable swarm, and shoak 
Of fish that with their fins and shining scales 
Glide under the green wave, in seulls that oft 
Bank the mid sea : part single or with mate 
Graze the sea weed their pasture, and through groves 
Of coral stray, or sporting vnth. quick glance 
Show to the sun their wav'd coats dropt with gold 
Or in their pearly shells at ease, attend 
Moist nutriment, or under rocks their food 
In jointed armour watch : on smooth the seal, 
And bended dolphins play : part huge of bulk 
Wallowing unwieldy, enormous in their gait 
Tempest the ocean : there leviathan, 
Hugest of living creatures, on the deep 



184 P*1RADISE LOST. [bOOK Vfl. 

Stretch'd like a promontory, sleeps or swims, 
And seems a moving land, and at his gills 
Draws in, and at his trunk spouts out a sea. 
Meanwhile the tepid caves, and fens and shores 
Their brood as numerous hatch, from th' egg that soon 
Bursting with kindly rupture forth disclos'd 
Their callow young, but feather'd soon and ^edge 
They summ'd their pens,^ and soaring the air sub- 
lime 
With clang despis'd the ground, under a cloud 
In prospect ; there the eagle and the stork 
On cliffs and cedar tops their eyries build : 
Part loosely wing the region, part more wise 
In common, rang'd in figure, wedge their ways 
Intelligent of seasons, and set forth 
Their airy caravan high over seas 
Flying, and over lands with mutual wing 
.Easing their flight ; steers the prudent crane 
Her annual voyage, borne on winds ; the air 
Floats as they pass, fann'd with unnumber'd plumes : 
From branch to branch the smaller birds with song 
Solac'd the woods, and spread their painted wings 
Till ev'n, nor then the solemn nightingale 
Ceas'd warbling, but all night tun'd her soft lays : 
Others on silver lakes and rivers bath'd 
Their downy breast ; the swan with arched neck 
Between her white wings mantling proudly, rows 
Her state with oary feet ; yet oft they quit 
The dank, and rising on stiff pennons, tower 
The mid aerial sky : others on ground 
Walk'd firm ; the crested cock Avhose clarion sounds 
The silent hours, and th' other whose gay train 
Adorns him, colour'd with the florid hue 
Of rainbows and starry eyes. The waters thus 
With fish replenish'd, and the air with fowl, 
Evening and morn solemniz'd the fifth day. 
The sixth, and of creation last, arose 

" Summ'd their pens ;" had their quills mature or full growa. 



BOOK VII.] PARADISE LOST. 186 

With evening harps and matin, when God said, 
Let th' earth bring forth soul living in her kind, 
Cattle and creeping things, and beast of th' earth, 
Each in their kind. The earth obey'd and straight 
Opening her fertile womb teem'd at a birth 
Innumerous living creatures, perfect forms, 
Limb'd and full grown : out of the ground up rose 
As from his lair the wild beast where he wons 
In forest wild, in thicket, brake, or den ; 
Among the trees in pairs they rose, they walk'd : 
The cattle in the fields and meadows green : 
Those rare and solitary, these in flocks 
Pasturing at once, and in broad herds upsprung. 
The grassy clods now calv'd, now half appear'd 
The tawny lion, pawing to get free 
His hinder parts, then springs as broke from bonds. 
And rampant shakes his brinded mane; the ounce, 
The libbard, and the tiger, as the mole 
Rising, the crumbled earth above them threw 
In hillocks : the swift stag from under ground 
Bore up his branching head : scarce from his mould 
Behemoth biggest born of earth upheav'd 
His vastness : fleec'd the flocks and bleating rose 
As plants : ambiguous between sea and land 
The river horse and scaly crocodile. 
At once came forth whatever creeps the ground. 
Insect or worm : those wav'd their limber fans 
For wings and smallest lineaments exact 
In all the liveries deck'd of summer's pride, 
With spots of gold and purple, azure and green : 
These as a Ime their long dimension drew, 
Streaking- the ground with sinuous trace ; not all 
jVIipinis of nature ; some of serpent kind. 
Wondrous in length and corpulence, involv'd 
Their snaky folds, and added wings. First crept 
The parsimonious emmet, provident 
Of future, in small room large heart enclos'd, 
Pattern of just equality perhaps 
Hereafter, join'd in her popular tribes 
16^- 



186 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK VII, 

Of commonalty : swarming next appear'd 

The female bee, that feeds her husband drone 

Deiiciously, and builds her waxen cells 

With honey stor'd : the rest are numberless, 

And thou their natures know'st, and gav'st them 

names, 
Needless to thee repeated ; nor unknown 
The serpent subtlest beast of all the field, 
Of huge extent sometimes, with brazen eyes 
And hairy mane terrific, though to thee 
Not noxious, but obedient at thy call. 
Now heav'n in all her glory shone, and roll'd 
Het motions, as the great first Mover's hand 
First wheel'd their course ; earth in her rich attire 
Consummate lovely smil'd ; air, water, earth, 
By fowl, fish, beast, was flown, was swum, was walk'd 
Frequent ; and of the sixth day yet remain'd ; 
There wanted yet the master work, the end 
Of all yet done ; a creature who not prone 
And brute as other creatures, but endued 
With sanctity of reason, might erect 
His stature, and upright with front serene 
Govern the rest, self-knowing, and from thence 
Magnanimous to correspond with heav'n, 
But grateful to acknowledge whence his good 
Descends, thither with heart, and voice, and eyes 
Directed in devotion, to adore 
And worship God supreme, who made him chief 
Of all his works : therefore th' Omnipotent 
Kternal Father (for where is not he 
Present ?) thus to his Son audibly spake ; 
Let us make now man in our image, man. 
In our similitude, and let them rule 
Over the fish and fowl of sea and air, 
Beast of the field, and over all the earth, 
And every creeping thing that creeps the ground. 
This said he form'd thee, Adam, thee, O man. 
Dust of the ground, and in thy nostrils breath'd 
*rhe breath of life ; in his own image he 



BOOK VII.] PARADISE LOST. 187 

Created thee, in the image of God 
Express, and thou becam'st a living soul. 
Male he created thee, but thy consort 
Female for race ; then bless'd mankind, and said, 
Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, 
Subdue it, and throughout dominion hold 
Over fish of the sea, and fowl of th' air, 
And every living thing that moves on th' earth. 
Wherever thus created, for no place 
Is yet distinct by name, thence, as thou know'st, 
He brought thee into this delicious grove. 
This garden, planted with the trees of God, 
Delectable both to behold and taste : 
And freely all their pleasant fruit for food 
Gave thee ; all sorts are here that all th' earth yields, 
Variety without end ; but of the tree, 
Which tasted, works knowledge of good and evil, 
Thou may'st not ; in the day thou eat'st, thou dy'st j 
Death is the penalty impos'd, beware, 
And govern well thy appetite, lest Sin 
Surprise thee, and her black attendant Death. 
Here finish'd he, and all that he had made 
View'd, and behold all was entirely good ; 
So ev'n and morn accomplish'd the sixth day: 
Yet not till the Creator from his work 
Desisting, though unwearied, up return'd. 
Up to the heav'n of heav'ns his high abode, 
Thence to behold this new created world 
Th' addition of his empire, how it show'd 
In prospect from his throne, how good, how fair, 
Answering his great idea. Up he rode 
FoUow'd with acclamation and the sound 
Symphonious of ten thousand harps that tun'd 
Angelic harmonies : the earth, the air 
Eesounded, (thou remember'st, for thou heardst,) 
The heav'ns and all the constellations rung, 
The planets in their station list'ning stood, 
While the bright pomp ascended jubilant. 
Open, ye everlasting gates, they sung, 



188 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK VII. 

Open, ye heav'ns, your living doors ; let in 

The great Creator, from his work return'd 

Magnificent, his six days work, a world; 

Open, and henceforth oft ; for God will deign 

To visit oft the dwellings of just men 

Delighted, and with frequent intercourse 

Thither will send his winged messengers 

On errands of supernal grace. So sung 

The glorious train ascending • he through heav*n, 

That open'd wide her blazing portals, led 

To God's eternal house direct the way, 

A broad and ample road, whose dust is gold, 

And pavement stars, as stars to thee appear, 

Seen in the galaxy, that milky way, 

Which nightly as a circling zone thou seest 

Powder'd with stars. And now on earth the seventh 

Evening arose in Eden, for the sun 

Was set, and twilight from the east came on, 

Forerunning night ; when at the holy mount 

Of heav'n's high seated top, th' imperial throne 

Of Godhead, fix'd for ever firm and sure, 

The filial power arriv'd, and sat him down 

With his gfreat Father, for he also went 

Invisible, yet stay'd (such privilege 

Hath Omnipresence,) and the work ordain'd, 

Author and end of all things, and from work 

Now resting, bless'd and hallow d the sev'nth day, 

As resting on that day from all his work, 

But not in silence holy kept ; the harp 

Had work, and rested not, the solemn pipe, 

And dulcimer, all organs of sweet stop. 

All sounds on fret by string or golden wire 

Temper'd soft tunings, intermix'd with voice 

Choral or unison ; of incense clouds 

Fuming from golden censers hid the mount. 

Creation and the six days acts they sung. 

Great are thy works, Jehovah, infinite 

Thy pow'r ; what tho't can measure thee or tongue 

Relate thee ? greater now in thy return 



BOOK VII.] PARADISE LOST. 189 

Than from the giant angels ; thee that day 
Thy thunders magnified ; but to create 
Is greater than created to destroy. 
Who can impair thee, mighty King, or bound 
Thy empire ? easily the proud attempt 
Of spirits apostate and their counsels vain 
Thou hast repell'd, while impiously they thought 
Thee to diminish, and from thee withdraw 
The number of thy worshippers. Who seeks 
To lessen thee, against his purpose serves 
To manifest the more thy might : his evil 
Thou usesl, and from thence creat'st more good. 
Witness this new-made world, another heav'n 
From heav'n gate not far, founded in view 
On the clear hyaline, the glassy sea ; 
Of amplitude almost immense, with stars 
Numerous, and every star perhaps a world 
Of destin'd habitation ; but thou know'st 
Their seasons ; among these the seat of men, 
Earth with her nether ocean circumfus'd, 
Their pleasant dwelling-place, Thrice happy men, 
And sons of men, whom God hath thus advanc'd, 
Created in his image, there to dwell 
And worship him, and in reward to rule 
Over his works on earth, in sea, or air, 
And multiply a race of worshippers 
Holy and just : thrice happy if they know 
Their happiness, and persevere upright. 
So sung they, and the empyrean rung 
With hallelujahs : Thus was sabbath kept. 
And thy request think now fulfiU'd that ask'd 
How first this world and face of things began, 
And what before thy memory was done 
From the beginning, that posterity 
Inform'd by thee might know ; if else thou seek'st 
Ought, not surpassing human measure, say ! 

luND OF THE SEVENTH BOOK. 



THE 

EIGHTH BOOK 

OF 

PARADISE LOST. 



THE ARGUMENT. 



Adam inquires concerning celestial motions, is doubtfully answer- 
ed, and exhorted to search rather things more worthy of know- 
ledge : Adam assents, and still desirous to detain Raphael, relates 
to him what he remembered since his own creation, his placing in 
Paradise, his talk with God concerning solitude and fit society, 
his first meeting and nuptials with Eve, his discourse with the 
angel thereupon : who after admonitions repeated, departs. 



PARADISE LOST 



BOOK VIII. 



The angel ended, and in Adam's ear 
So charming left his voice, that he awhile 
Thought him still speaking, still stood fixt to hear ; 
Then as new wak'd thus gratefully reply'd : 

What thanks sufficient, or what recompense 
Equal have I to render thee, divine 
Historian, who thus largely hast allay'd 
The thirst I had of knowledge, and vouchsaf'd 
This friendly condescension to relate 
Things else by me unsearchable, now heard 
With wonder, but delight, and, as is due, 
With glory attributed to the high 
Creator ? something yet of doubt remains, 
Which only thy solution can resolve. 
When I behold this goodly frame, this world 
Of heav'n and earth consisting, and compute 
Their magnitudes, this earth, a spot, a grain, 
An atom, with the firmament compar'd 
And all her number'd stars, that seem to roll 
Spaces incomprehensible (for such 
Their distance argues and their swift return 
Diurnal,) merely to officiate light 
Round this opacious earth, this punctual spot,'**^ . 

* " This punctual spot :" no bigger than a paint, 

n 



194 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK VUi 

One day and night, in all their vast survey 
Useless besides ; reasoning, I oft admire 
How nature wise and frugal, could commit 
Such disproportions, with superfluous hand 
So many nobler bodies to create. 
Greater so manifold to this one use, 
For ought appears, and on their orbs impose 
Such restless revolution day by day 
Repeated, while the sedentary earth, 
That better might with far less compass move, 
Serv'd by more noble than herself, attains 
Her end without least motion, and receives, 
As tribute, such a sumless journey brought 
Of incorporeal speed, her warmth and light ; 
Speed, to describe whose swiftness number fails. 

So spake our sire, and by his count'nance seem'd 
Ent'ring on studious thoughts abstruse, which Eve 
Perceiving where she sat retir'd in sight, 
With lowliness majestic from her seat, 
And grace that won who saw to wish her stay, 
Rose, and went forth among her fruits and flow'rs 
To visit how they prosper'd, bud and bloom, 
Her nursery : they at her coming sprung, 
And touch'd by her fair tendance gladlier grew. 
Yet went she not, as not with such discourse 
Delighted, or not capable her ear 
Of what was high : such pleasure she reserv'd, 
Adam relating, she sole auditress : 
Her husband the relator she preferr'd 
Before the angel, and of him to ask 
Chose rather ; he, she knew, would intermix 
Grateful digr^essions, and solve high dispute 
"With conjugal caresses; from his lip 
Not words alone pleas'd her. O when meet now 
Such pairs, in love and mutual honour join'd? 
With goddess-like demeanour forth she went. 
Not unattended, for on her as queen 
A pomp of winning graces waited still, 
And from about her shot darts of desire 



BOOK VTlI.j 



PARADISE LOST* 195 



Into all eyes to wish her still in sight. 
And Raphael now to Adam doubt propos'd 
Benevolent and facile thus reply'd : 

To ask or search I blame thee not, for heav'n 
Is as the book of God before thee set 
Wherein to read his wondrous works, and learn 
His seasons, hours, or days, or months, or years : 
This to attain, whether heav'n move, or earth, 
Imports not, if thou reckon right ; the rest 
From man or angel the great Architect 
Did wisely to conceal, and not divulge 
His secrets to be scann'd by them who ought 
Rather admire ; or if they list to try 
Conjecture, he his fabric of the heav'ns 
Hath left to their disputes, perhaps to move 
His laughter at their quaint opinions wide. 
Hereafter, when they come to model heav'n 
And calculate the stars, how they will wield 
The mighty frame, how build, unbuild, contrive 
To save appearances, how gird the sphere 
With centric and eccentric scribbled o'er, 
Cycle and epicle, orb in orb : 
Already by thy reasoning this I guess, 
Who art to lead thy offspring, and supposest 
That bodies bright and greater should not serve 
The less not bright, nor heav'n such journeys run, 
Earth sitting still, when she alone receives 
The benefit : consider first, that great 
Or bright infers not excellence : the earth 
Though, in comparison of heav'n, so small, 
Nor glist'ring, may of solid good contain 
More plenty than the sun that barren shines. 
Whose virtue on itself works no efiect. 
But in the fruitful earth ; there first receiv'd 
His beams, unactive else, their vigour find. 
Yet not to earth are those bright luminaries 
Officious, but to thee, earth's ha,bitant. 
And for the heay'n's wide circuit, let it speak 
The M?iker's high magnificence, who buiU 



196 PARADISE LOST. [BOOK VHI. 

So spacious, and his line stretch'd out so far ; 

That man may know he dwells not in his own ; 

An edifice too large for him to fill, 

Lodg'd in a small partition, and the rest 

Ordain'd for uses to his Lord best known. 

The swiftness of those circles attribute, 

Though numberless, to his omnipotence 

That to corporeal substances could add 

Speed almost spiritual ; me thou think'st not slow, 

Who since the morning hour set out from heav'n 

Where God resides, and ere mid-day arriv'd 

In Eden, distance inexpressible 

By numbers that have name. But this I urge, 

Admitting motion in the heav'ns, to show, 

Invalid that which thee to doubt is mov'd : 

Not that I so affirm, though so it seem 

To thee who hast thy dwelling here on earth. 

God to remove his ways from human sense, 

Plac'd heav'n from earth so far, that earthly sight, 

If it presume, might err in things too high, 

And no advantage gain. What if the sun 

Be centre to the world, and other stars 

By his attractive virtue and their own 

Incited, dance about him various rounds ? 

Their wand'ring course now high, now low, then hid, 

Progressive, retrogade, or standing still, 

In six thou seest, and what if sev'nth to these 

The planet earth, so steadfast though she seem, 

Insensibly three different motions move ? 

Which else to several spheres thou must ascribe, 

Mov'd contrary with thwart obliquities. 

Or save the sun his labour, and that swift 

Nocturnal and diurnal rhomb suppos'd, 

Invisible else above all stars, the wheel 

Of day and night ; which needs not thy belief 

If earth industrious of herself fetch day 

Travelling east, and with her part averse 

From the sun's beam meet night, her other part 

Still luminous by his ray. What if that light 



BOOK VIII.] PARADISE LOST. 197 

Sent from her through the wide transpicuous air, 
To the terrestrial moon be as a star 
Enlight'ning her by day, as she by night 
This earth ? reciprocal, if land be there. 
Fields and inhabitants ; her spots thou seest 
As clouds, and clouds may rain, and rain produce 
Fruits in her soften'd soil, for some to eat 
Allotted there : and other suns perhaps 
Wi'th their attendant moons thou wilt descry, 
Communicating male ^d female light. 
Which two great sexes animate the world, 
Stor'd in each orb perhaps with some that live. 
For such vast room in nature unpossess'd 
By living soul, desert and desolate, 
Only to shine, yet scarce to contribute 
Each orb a glimpse of light, convey'd so far 
Down to tliis habitable, which returns 
Light back to them, is obvious to dispute. 
But whether thus these things, or whether not, 
"Whether the sun predominant in heav'n, 
Rise on the earth, or earth rise on the sun, 
He from the east his flaming road begin, 
Or she from west her silent course advance 
With inoffensive pace that spinning sleeps 
On her soft axle, while she paces even, 
And bears thee soft with the smooth air along, 
Solicit not thy thoughts with matters hid. 
Leave them to God above, him serve and fear ; 
Of other creatures, as him pleases best, 
Wherever plac'd, let him dispose : joy thou 
In what he gives to thee, this Paradise 
And thy fair Eve ; heav'n is for thee too high 
To know what passes there ; be lowly wise : 
Think only what concerns thee and thy being ; 
Dream not of other worlds, what creatures there 
Live, in what state, condition or degree. 
Contented that thus far hath been reveal'd 
Not of earth only, but of highest heav'n. 
17* 



198 PARADISE LOSl. [bOOK VDI 

To whom thus Adam, clear'd of doubt, reply'd : 
How fully hast thou satisfy'd me, pure 
Intelligence of heav'n, angel serene, 
And freed from intricacies, taught to live 
The easiest way, nor with perplexing thoughts 
To interrupt the sweet of life, from which 
God hath bid dwell far off all anxious cares, 
And not molest us, unless we ourselves 
Seek them with wand'ring tho'ts, and notions vain. 
But apt the mind or fancy is to rove 
XJncheck'd, and of her roving is no end ; 
Till warn'd or by experience taught, she learn, 
That not to know at large of things remote 
From use, obscure and subtle, but to know 
That which before us lies in daily life, 
Is the prime wisdom; what is more, is -fume, 
Or emptiness, or fond impertinence, 
And renders us in things that most concern 
Unpractis'd, unprepar'd, and still to seek. 
Therefore from this high pitch let us descend 
A lower flight, and speak of things at hand 
Useful, whence haply mention may arise 
Of something not unseasonable to ask 
By sufferance, and thy wonted favour deign 'd. 
Thee have I heard relating what was done 
Ere my remembrance : now hear me relate 
My story, which perhaps thou hast not heard ; 
And day is not yet spent ; till then thou seest 
How subtly to detain thee I devise. 
Inviting thee to hear while I relate, 
Fond, where it not in hope of thy reply : 
For while I sit with thee, I seem in heav'n, 
And sweeter thy discourse is to my ear 
Than fruits of palm-tree, pleasantest to thirst 
And hunger both, from labour, at the hour 
Of sweet repast ; they satiate, and soon fill 
Though pleasant, but thy words with grace divine 
Imbued, bring to their sweetness no satiety. 



#• 



BOOK Vlli.] PARADISE LOST. 199 

To whom thus Raphael answer'd heav'nly meek : 
Nor are thy lips ungrateful, sire of men, 
Nor tongue ineloquent ; for God on thee 
Abundantly his gifts hath also pour'd, 
Inward and outward both, his image fair : 
Speaking, or mute, all comeliness and grace 
Attends thee, and each word, each motion forms ; 
Nor less think we in heav'n, of thee on earth 
Than of our fellow-servant, and inquire 
Gladly into the ways of God with man : 
For God we see hath honour'd thee, and set 
On man his equal love : say therefore on : 
For I that day was absent, as befel. 
Bound on a voyage uncouth and obscure, 
'Far on excursion toward the gates of hell; 
Squar'd in full legion (such command we had) 
To see that none thence issued forth a spy, 
Or enemy, while God was in his work, 
Lest he incens'd at such eruption bold, 
Destruction with creation might have mix'd. 
Not that they durst without his leave attempt, 
But us he sends upon his high behests 
For state, as Sov'reign King, and to inure 
Our prompt obedience. Fast we found, fast shut 
The dismal gates, and barricado'd strong ; 
But long ere our approaching, heard within 
Noise, other than the sound of dance or sonf/ 
Torment, and loud lament, and furious rap* 
Glad we return'd up to the coast of light 
Ere sabbath evening : so we had in charge* 
But thy relation now ; for I attend, 
Pleas'd with thy words no less th^a thou with mine. 

So spake the God-like pow'r. dnd thus our sire : 
For man to tell how human ]^Ve began 
Is hard ; for who himself beginning knew ? 
Desire with thee still lono-cr to converse 
Induc'd me. As new wi'd from soundest sleep, 
Soft on the flow'ry herb I found me laid 
In balmy sweat, which with his beams the sun 



200 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK VIH. 

Soon dry'd, and on the reeking moisture fed. 
Straight toward heav'n my wond'ring eyes I turn'd 
And gaz'd awhile the ample sky, till rais'd 
By quick instinctive motion up I sprung, 
As thitherward endeavouring, and upright 
Stood on my feet ; about me round I saw 
Hill, dale, and shady woods, and sunny plains, 
And liquid lapse of murm'ring streams : by these, 
Creatures that liv'd and mov'd, and walk'd, or flew, 
Birds on the branches warbling ; all things smil'd 
With fragrance, and with joy my heart o'erflow'd. 
Myself I then perus'd, and limb by limb 
Survey'd, and sometimes went, and sometimes ran 
With supple joints, as lively vigour led : 
But who I was, or where, or from what cause, 
Knew not ; to speak I try'd, and forthwith spake ; 
"" ly tongue obey'd, and readily could name 
^hate'er I saw. Thou Sun, said I, fair light, 
.nd thou enlighten'd earth, so fresh and gay, 
ye hills and dales, ye rivers, woods, and plains, 
And ye that live and move, fair creatures, tell, 
TUl, if ye saw, how came I thus, how here ? 
Na of myself; by some great Maker then. 
In ^odness and in pow'r pre-eminent ; 
Tell Vj.e, how may I know him, how adore. 
From vhom I hav'^ that thus I move and live. 
And feei that I am happier than I know. 
While thuiL I call'd, and stray'd I knew not whither 
From where T first drew air, and first beheld 
This happy li^t, when answer none return'd, 
On a green shadj bank profuse of flowers. 
Pensive I sat me dbwn ; there gentle sleep 
First found me, and V|th soft oppression seiz'd 
My drowsed sense, untiwbled, though I thought 
I then was passing to my former state 
Insensible, and forthwith to dissolve : 
When suddenly stood at my head a dream, 
Whose inward apparition gently mov'd 
My fancy to believe I yet had being, 



BOOK VIII.] PARADISE LOST. 201 

And liv'd : one came, methought, of shape divine, 

And said. Thy mansion wants thee, Adam, rise, 

First man, of men innumerable ordain'd 

First father, call'd by thee I come thy guide 

To the garden of bliss, thy seat prepar'd. 

So saying, by the hand he took me rais'd, 

And over fields and waters, as in air 

Smooth sliding without step, last led me up 

A woody mountain, whose high top was plain ; 

A circuit wide, enclos'd, with goodliest trees 

Planted, with walks, and bow'rs, that what I saw 

Of earth before scarce pleasant seem'd. Each tree 

Loaden with fairest fruit, that hung to th' eye 

Tempting, stirr'd in me sudden appetite 

To pluck and eat ; whereat I wak'd, and found 

Before mine eyes all real, as the dream 

Had lively shadow'd : here had new begun 

My wand'ring, had not he who was my guide 

Up hither, from among the trees appear 'd, 

Presence divine. Rejoicing, but with awe 

In adoration at his feet I fell 

Submiss : he rear'd me, and Whom thou sought'st 

I am, 
Said mildly, Author of all this thou seest 
Above, or round about thee, or beneath. 
This Paradise I give thee, count it thine 
To till and keep, and of the fruit to eat : 
Of every tree that in the garden grows 
Eat freely with glad heart ; fear here no dearth : 
But of the tree whose operation brings 
Knowledge of good and ill, which I have set 
The pledge of thy obedience and thy faith, 
Amid the garden by the tree of life. 
Remember what I warn thee, shun to taste, 
And shun the bitter consequence : for know, 
The day thou eat'st thereof, my sole command 
Transgress'd, inevitably thou shalt die, 
Frotxi that day mortal, and this happy state 
Shalt lose, expell'd from hence into a world 



202 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK Vm. 

Of wo and sorrow. Sternly he pronounc'd 
The rigid interdiction, which resounds 
Yet dreadful in mine ear, though in my choice 
Not to incur : but soon his clear aspect 
Return'd, and gracious purpose thus renew'd : 
Not only these fair bounds, but all the earth 
To thee and to thy race I give ; as lords 
Possess it, and all things that therein live, 
Or live in sea, or air, beast, fish, and fowl. 
In sign whereof each bird and beast behold 
After their kind ; I bring them to receive 
From thee their names ; and pay thee fealty 
With low subjection, understand the same 
Of fish within their wat'ry residence, 
Not hither summon'd, since they cannot change 
Their element to draw the thinner air. 
As thus he spake, each bird and beast behold 
Approaching two and two, these cow'ring low 
With blandishment, each bird stoop'd on his wing. 
I nam'd them, as they pass'd, and understood 
Their nature, with such knowledge God endued 
My sudden apprehension : but in these 
I found not what methought I wanted still ; 
And to the heav'nly vision thus presum'd : 

O by what name, for thou above all these, 
Above mankind, or ought than mankind higher, 
Surpassest far my naming, how may I 
Adore thee. Author of this universe, 
And all this good to man ? for whose well being 
So amply, and with hands so liberal 
Thou hast provided all things : but with me 
I see not who partakes. In solitude 
What happiness, who can enjoy alone. 
Or all enjoying, what contentment find? 
Thus I presumptuous ; and the vision bright, 
As with a smile more brighten'd, thus reply'd : 

What call'st thou solitude ? is not the earth 
With various living creatures, and the air 
Beplenish'd, and all these at thy command 



S60K VIII.J PARADISE LOS • 203 

To come and play before thee ? know'st thou not 
Their language and their ways ? they also know, 
And reason not contemptibly ; with these 
Find pastime, and bear rule ; thy realm is large. 
So spake the universal Lord, and seem'd 
So ord'ring. I with leave of speech implor'd, 
And humble deprecation thus reply'd : 

Let not my words offend thee, heav'nly Power, 
My Maker, be propitious while I speak. 
Hast thou not made me here thy substitute, 
And these inferior far beneath me set ? 
Among unequals what society 
Can sort, what harmony or true delight ? 
Which must be mutual, in proportion due 
Giv'n and receiv'd ; but in disparity 
The one intense, the other still remiss 
Cannot well suit with either, but soon prove 
Tedious alike : of fellowship I speak 
Such as I see, fit to participate 
All rational delight, wherein the brute 
Cannot be human consort : they rejoice 
Each with their kind, lion with lioness ; 
So fitly them in pairs thou hast combin'd : 
Much less can bird with beast, or fish with fowl 
So well converse, nor with the ox the ape ; 
Worse then can man with beast, and least of all. 

Whereto th' Almighty answer'd, not displeas'd : 
A nice and subtle happiness I see 
Thou to thyself proposest, in the choice 
Of thy associates, Adam, and wilt taste 
No pleasure, though in pleasure, solitary. 
What think'st thou then of me, and this my state ? 
Seem I to thee sufficiently possess'd 
Of happiness, or not ? who am alone 
From all eternity, for none I know 
Second to me or like, equal much less. 
How have I then with whom to hold converse 
Save with the creatures which I made, and those 



204 PARADISE LOST. [book vul 

To me inferior, infinite descents 

Beneath what other creatures are to thee ? 

He ceas'd, I lowly answer'd : To attain 
The height and depth of thy eternal ways 
All human thoughts come short, Supreme of things, 
Thou in thyself art perfect, and in thee 
Is no deficience found : not so is man. 
But in degree, the cause of his desire 
By conversation with his like to help. 
Or solace his defects. No need that thou 
Should'st propagate, already infinite, 
And through all numbers abs-olute, though one ; 
But man by number is to manifest 
His single imperfection, and beget 
Like of his like, his image multiply'd, 
In unity defective, Avhich requires 
Collateral love, and dearest amity. 
Thou in thy secrecy although alone, 
Best with thyself accompanied, seek'st not 
Social communication, yet so pleas'd, 
Canst raise thy creature to what height thou wiK 
Of union or communion, deify'd ; 
I by conversing cannot these erect 
From prone, nor in their ways complacence find. 
Thus I embolden'd spake, and freedom us'd 
Permissive, and acceptance found, which gain'd 
This answer from the gracious voice divine : 

Thus far to try thee, Adam, I was pleas'd, 
And find thee knowing not of beasts alone, 
Which thou has rightly nam'd, but of thyself, 
Expressing well the spirit within thee free. 
My image, not imparted to the brute, 
Whose fellowship therefore unmeet for thee. 
Good reason was thou freely shouldst dislike, 
And be so minded still ; I, ere thou spak'st, 
Knew it not good for man to be alone, 
And no such company as then thou saw'st 
Intended thee, for trial only brought, 
To see how thou couldst judge of fit and meet • 



900K VIII.] PARADISE LOST. 205 

What next I bring shall please thee, be assur'd. 
Thy likeness, thy fit help, thy other self, 
Thy wish exactly to thy heart's desire. 

Re ended, or I heard no more, for now 
My earthly by his heav'nly over-power'd : 
Which It had long stood under, strain'd to th' height 
In that celestial colloquy sublime, 
As with an object that excels the sense, 
Dazzled and spent, sunk down, and sought repair 
Of sleep, which instantly fell on me, call'd 
By nature as in aid, and clos'd mine eyes. 
Mine eyes he clos'd, but open left the cell 
Of fancy my internal sight, by which 
Abstract as in a trance methought I saw, 
Though sleeping, where I lay, and saw the shape 
Still glorious before whom awake I stood ; 
Who stooping open'd my left side, and took 
From thence a rib, with cordial spirits warm, 
And life-blood streaming fresh; wide was the wound, 
But suddenly with flesh fill'd up and heal'd : 
The rib he form'd and fashion'd with his hand; 
Under his forming hands a creature grew, 
Manlike but different sex, so lovely fair, 
That what seem'd fair in all the world, seem'd now 
Mean, or in her summ'd up, in her contain'd 
And in her looks, which from that time infus'd 
Sweetness into my heart, unfelt before, 
And into all things from her air inspir'd 
The spirit of love and amorous delight. 
She disappear'd, and left me dark ; I wak'd 
To find her, or for ever to deplore 
Her loss, and other pleasures all abjure : 
^\Tien out of hope, behold her, not far off, 
Such as I saw her in my dream, adorn'd 
With what all earth or heav'n could bestow 
To make her amiable : on ^he came. 
Led by her heav'nly Maker, though unseen, 
And guided by his voice, nor uninform'd 
Of nuptial sanctity and marriage rites 
18 



206 4RADISE LOST. [BOOK VU! 

Grace was in all her steps, heav'n in her eye, 
In every gesture dignity and love. 
I overjoy 'd could not forbear aloud : 

This turn hath made amends ; thou hast fulfil'd 
Thy words, Creator bounteous and benign. 
Giver of all things fair, but fairest this 
Of all thy gifts, nor enviest. I now see 
Bone of my bone, flesh of my flesh, myself 
Before me ; woman is her name, of man 
Extracted ; for this cause he shall forego 
Father and mother, and to his wife adliere ; 
And they shall be one flesh, one heart, one soul. 

She heard me thus, and though divinely brought, 
Yet innocence and virgin modesty. 
Her virtue and the conscience of her worth, 
That would be woo'd, and not unsought be won, 
Not obvious, not obtrusive, but retir'd. 
The more desirable, or to say all, 
Nature herself, though pure of sinful thought, 
"Wrought in her so, that seeing me, she turn'd ; 
I follow'd her, she what was honour knew, 
And with obsequious majesty approved 
My pleaded reason. To the nuptial bower 
I led her blushing like the morn : all heav'n, 
And happy constellations on that hour 
Shed their selectest influence ; the earth 
Gave sign of gratulation, and each hill ; 
Joyous the birds ; fresh gales and gentle airs 
Whisper'd it to the woods, and from their wings 
Flung rose, flung odours from the spicy shrub, 
Disporting, till the amorous bird of night 
Sung spousal, and bid haste the evening star 
On his hill top, to light the bridal harp. 

Thus have I told thee all my state, and brought 
My story to the sum of earthly bliss 
Which I enjoy, and must confess to find 
In all things else ddlight indeed, but such 
As us'd or not, works in the mind no change, 
Nor vehejiient desire, these delicacies 



BOOK VIII.] PARADISE LOST. 207 

I mean of taste, sight, smell, herbs, fruits, and flowers, 

Walks, and the melody of birds ; but here 

Far otherwise, transported I behold, 

Transported touch ; here passion first I felt, 

Commotion strange, in all enjoyment else 

Superior and unmov'd, here only weak 

Against the charm of beauty's pow'rful glance 

Or nature fail'd in me, and left some part 

Not proof enough such object to sustain, 

Or from my side subducting, took perhaps 

More than enough ; at least on her bestow'd 

Too much of ornament, in outward show 

Elaborate, of inward less exact. 

For well I understand in the prime end 

Of nature her th' inferior, in the mind 

And inward faculties, which most excel, 

In outward also her resembling less 

His image who made both, and less expressing 

The character of that dominion given 

O'er other creatures ; yet when I approach 

Her loveliness, so absolute^^ she seems 

And in herself complete, so well to know 

Her own, that what she wills to do or say, 

Seems wisest, virtuousest, discreetest, best ; 

All higher knowledge in her presence falls 

Degraded, wisdom in discourse with her 

Loses discount'nanc'd, and like folly shows ; 

Authority and reason on her wait, 

As one intended first, not after made 

Occasionally; and to consummate all. 

Greatness of mind and nobleness their seat 

Build in her loveliest, and create an awe 

About her as a guard angelic plac'd. 

To whom the angel Avith contracted brow : 
Accuse not nature, she hath done her part; 
Do thou but thine, and be not diffident 
Of wisdom, she deserts thee not, if thou 

♦ " So absolute :" finished. 



208 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK VIII 

Dismiss not her, when most thou needst her nigh, 
By attributing overmuch to things 
Less excellent, as thou thyself perceiv'st. 
For what admir'st thou, what transports thee so, 
An outside ? fair no doubt, and worthy well 
Thy cherishing, thy honouring, and thy love, 
Not thy subjection ; weigh with her thyself; 
Then value : oft-times nothing profits more 
Than self-esteem, grounded on just and right 
Well manag'd ; of that skill the more thou know'st , 
The more she will acknowledge thee her head, 
And to realities yield all her shows : 
Made so adorn for thy delight the more, 
So awful, that with honour thou mayst love 
Thy mate, who sees when thou art seen least wise. 
But if the sense of touch whereby mankind 
Is propagated seem such dear delight 
Beyond all other, think the same vouchsaf 'd 
To cattle, and each beast ; which would not be 
To them made common and divulg'd, if ought 
Therein enjoy 'd were worthy to subdue 
The soul of man, or passion in him move. 
What higher in her society thou find'st 
Attractive, human, rational, love still ; 
In loving thou dost well, in passion not 
Wherein true love consists not ; love refines 
The thoughts, and heart enlarges, hath his seat 
In reason, and is judicious, is the scale 
By which to heav'nly love thou may'st ascend 
Not sunk in carnal pleasure, for which cause 
Among the beasts no mate for thee was found 
To whom thus half abash'd Adam, reply'd • 
Neither her outside form'd so fair, nor aught 
In procreation common to all kinds 
(Though higher of the genial bed by far, 
And with mysterious reverence I deem,) 
So much delights me, as those graceful acts, 
Those thousand decencies that daily flow 
From all her words and actions, mix'd with love 



BOOK VIII.] PARADISE LOST. 209 

And sweet compliance, which declare unfeign'd 
Union of mind, or in us both one soul ; 
Harmony to behold in wedded pair 
More grateful than harmonious sound to th' ear, 
Yet these subject not ; I to thee disclose 
What inward thence I feel, not therefore foil'd, 
Who meet with various objects, from the sense 
Variously representing ; yet still free 
Approve the best, and follow what I approve. 
To love thou blam'st me not, for love thou say'st 
Leads up to heav'n, is both the way and guide : 
Bear with me then, if lawful what I ask ; 
Love not the heav'nly spirits, and how their love 
Express they ? by looks only, or do they mix 
^^^adiance, virtual or immediate touch ? 

^^ yhom the angel with a smile that glow'd 
Celestial rtn.y j-^d, love's proper hue, 
Answer'd: Let k suffice thee that thou know'st 
Us happy, and without love no happiness. 
Whatever pure thou m xh^ ]yQ^j enjoy 'st 
(And pure thou wert creaiod) we enioy 
In eminence, and obstacle find none, 
Of membrane, joint, or limb, excluaiye bars* 
Easier than air with air, if spirits embicy»e 
Total they mix, union of pure with pure 
Desiring ; nor restrain'd conveyance need 
As flesh to mix with flesh, or soul with soul. 
But I can now no more ; the parting sun 
Beyond the earth's green Cape and verdant isles 
Hesperian sets, my signal to depart. 
Be strong, live happy, and love, but first of all 
Him whom to love is to obey, and keep 
His great command ; take heed lest passion sway 
Thy judgment to do aught which else free will 
Would not admit ; thine and of all thy sons 
The weal or wo in thee is plac'd ; beware. 
I in thy persevering shall rejoice. 
And all the blest : stand fast ; to stand or fall 
Free in thine own arbitrement it lies 
18* 



210 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK VDI. 

Perfect within, no outward aid require ; 
And all temptation to transgress repel. 

So saying, he arose ; whom Adam thus 
Follow'd with benediction. Since to part, 
Go heav'nly guest, ethereal messenger, 
Sent from whose sov'reign goodness I adore. 
Gentle to me and affable hath been 
Thy condescension, and shall be honoured ever 
With grateful memory : thou to mankind 
Be good and friendly still, and oft return. 

So parted they, the Angel up to heav'n 
From the thick shade, and Adam to his bower. 



BND OF THF ClGHTfi BOOK. 



1 

U 



THE 

NINTH BOOK 

OF 

PARADISE LOST. 



THE ARGUMENT. 



Satan having compassed the Earth, with meditated guile returns 
as a mist by night into Paradise, enters into the serpent sleeping. 
Adam and Eve in the morning go forth to their labours, which 
Eve proposes to divide in several places, each labouring apart : 
Adam consents not, alleging the danger, least that enemy, of 
whom they were forewarned, should attempt her, found alone : 
Eve loath to be found not circumspect or firm enough, urges her 
going apart, the rather desirous to make trial of her strength ; 
Adam at last yields : the serpent finds her alone ; his subtle ap- 
proach, first gazing, then speaking, with much flattery extolling 
Eve above all other creatures. Eve wondering to hear the ser- 
pent speak, asks how he attained to human speech, and such un- 
derstanding not till now ; the serpent answers, that by tasting of 
a certain tree in the garden, he attained both to speech and rea- 
son, till then void of both : Eve requires him to bring her to that 
tree, and finds it to be the tree of knowledge forbidden : the ser- 
pent now grown bolder, with many wiles and arguments induces 
her at length to eat ; she pleased with the taste, deliberates 
awhile whether to impart thereof to Adam or not, at last brings 
him of the fruit, relates what persuaded her to eat thereof: 
Adam at first amazed, but perceiving her lost, resolves through 
vehemence of love to perish with her ; and extenuating the 
trespass, eats also of the fruit ; the effects thereof in them both ; 
they seek to cover their nakedness ; then fall to variance and 
accusation of one another. 



PARADISE LOST 



BOOK IX. 



No more of talk where God or angel guest 

With man, as with his friend, familiar us'd 

To sit indulgent, and with him partake 

Rural repast, permitting him the while 

Venial discourse unblam'd : I now must change 

Those notes to tragic ; foul distrust, and breach 

Disloyal on the part of man, revolt. 

And disobedience ; on the part of heav'n 

Now alienated, distance and distaste, 

Anger and just rebuke, and judgment given 

That brought into this world of wo. 

Sin and her shadow Death, and Misery, 

Death's harbinger : sad task, yet argument 

Not less but more heroic than the wrath 

Of stern Achilles on his foe pursu'd 

Thrice fugitive about Troy wall ; or rage 

Of Turnus for Lavinia disespous'd, 

Or Neptune's ire, or Juno's, that so long 

Perplex'd the Greek and Cytherea's son ; 

If answerable style I can obtain 

Of my celestial patroness, who deigns 

Her nightly visitation unimplor'd, 

And dictates to me slumb'ring, or inspires 

Easy my unpremeditated verse : 

Since first this subject for heroic song 



2t4 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK iX. 

Pleas'd me long choosing-, and beginning late ; 
Not sedulous by nature to indite 
Wars, hitherto the only argument 
Heroic deem'd, chief mast'ry to dissect 
With long and tedious havoc fabled knights 
In battles feign'd ; the better fortitude 
Of patience and heroic martyrdom 
Unsung ; or to describe races and games, 
Or tilting furniture, emblazon'd shields, 
Impresses quaint, caparisons and steeds ; 
Bases and tinsel trappings, gorgeous knights 
At joust and tournament ; then marshall'd feast 
Serv'd up in hall with sewers, and seneschals j 
The skill of artifice or office mean, 
Not that which justly gives heroic name 
To person, or to poem. Me of these 
Nor skiird nor studious, higher argument 
Remains, sufficient of itself to raise 
That name, unless an age too late, or cold 
Climate, or years damp my intended wing 
Depress'd, and much they may, if all be mine, 
Not hers who brings it nightly to my ear. 

The sun was sunk, and after him the star 
Of Hesperus, whose office is to bring 
Twilight upon the earth, short arbiter 
'Twixt day and night, and now from end to end 
Night's hemisphere had veil'd the horizon round : 
"When Satan who late fled before the threats 
Of Gabriel out of Eden, now improv'd 
in meditated fraud and malice, bent 
On man's destruction, maugre what might hap 
Of heavier on himself, fearless return'd. 
By night he fled, and at midnight returned. 
From compassing the earth, cautious of days, 
Since Uriel regent of the sun descry'd 
His entrance, and forwarn'd the cherubim 
That kept their watch ; thence full of anguish drivei^ 
The space of sev'n continued nights he rode 
With darkness, thrice the equinoctial line 



BOOKIX,] PARADISE LOST 215 

He circled, four times cross'd the car of night 
From pole to pole, traversing each colure ; 
On th' eighth returned, and on the coast averse 
From entrance of cherubic watch, by stealth 
Found unsuspected way. There was a place, 
Now not, though sin, not time, first -wTought the 

change, 
Where Tigris at the foot of Paradise 
Into a gulf shot under ground, till part 
Rose up a fountain by the tree of life ; 
In with the river sunk, and with it rose 
Satan, involv'd in rising mist, then sought 
Where to lie hid ; sea he had search'd and land 
From Eden over Pontus, and the pool 
MsBOtis, up beyond the river Ob ; 
Downward as far antarctic ; and in length 
West from Orontes to the ocean barr'd 
At Darien, thence to the land where flows 
Ganges and Indus : thus the orb he roam'd 
With narrow search, and with inspection deep 
Consider'd every creature, which of all 
Most opportune might serve his wiles, and found 
The serpent subtlest beast of all the field. 
Him after long debate, irresolute 
Of thoughts revolv'd, his final sentence chose 
Fit vessel, fittest imp of fraud, in whom 
To enter, and his dark suggestions hide 
From sharpest sight : for in the wily snake, 
Whatever sleights none would suspicious marK; 
As from his wit and native subtlety 
Proceeding, which in other beasts observ'd, 
Doubt might b^get of diabolic power 
Active wj^^in beyond the sense of brute. 
Thus ^le resolv'd, but first from inward grief 
}Jis bursting passion into plaints thus pour'd : 
O earth, how like to heav'n, if not preferr'd 
More justly, seat worthier of gods, as built 
With second thoughts, reforming what was old ! 
For what God after better worse would build ? 



316 PAKADISE LOST. IboOK IX. 

Terrestrial heav'n, danc'd round by other heav'ns 

That shine, yet bear their bright officious lamps, 

i/ight above lights, for thee alone, as seems, 

In thee concentring all their precious beams 

Of sacred influence ! As God in heav'n 

Is centre, yet extends to all, so thou 

Cent'ring receiv'st from all those orbs ; in thee, 

Not in themselves, all their known virtue appears 

Productive in herb, plant, and nobler birth 

Of creatures animate with gradual life 

Of growth, sense, reason, all summ'd up in man. 

With what delight could I have walk'd thee round, 

If I could joy in aught, sweet interchange 

Of hill and valley, rivers, woods and plains, 

Now land, now sea, and shores with forests crown'd 

Rocks, dens, and caves ! but I in none of these 

Find place or refuge ; and the more I see 

Pleasures about me, so much more I feel 

Torment withm me, as from the hateful siege 

Of contraries ; all good to me becomes 

Bane, and in heav'n much worse would be my state. 

But neither here seek I, no, nor in heav'n 

To dwell, unless by mast'ring heav'n 's Supreme ; 

Nor hope to be myself less miserable 

By what I seek, but others to make such 

As I, though thereby worse to me redound : 

For only in destroying I find ease 

To my relentless thoughts ; and him destroy'd. 

Or won to what may work his utter loss, 

For whom all this was made, all this will soon 

Follow, as to him link'd in weal or wo. 

In wo then ; that destruction wide may rano-e : 

To me shall be the glory sole among 

Th' infernal pow'rs, in one day to have matr'd 

What th' Almighty styl'd, six nights and days 

Continued making, and who knows how long 

Before had been contriving, though perhaps 

Not longer than since I in one night freed 

From servitude inglorious, well nigh half 



BOOK IX.] PARADISE LOST. 217 

Tk' angelic name, and thinner left the throng 
Of his adorers ; he to be aveng'd, 
And to repair his numbers thus impair'd, 
Whether such virtue spent of old now fail'd 
More angels to create, if they at least 
Are his created, or to spite us more, 
Determin'd to advance into our room 
Jk. creature form'd of earth, and him endow, 
Exalted from so base original. 
With heav'nly spoils, our spoils, what he decreed 
He effected ; man he made, and for him built 
Magnificent this world and earth his seat, 
Him lord pronounc'd and, 0, indignity! 
Subjected to his service angel wings. 
And flaming ministers to watch and tend 
Their earthly charge : of these the vigilance 
I dread, and to elude, thus wrapt in mist 
Of midnight vapour glide obscure, and pry 
In every bush and brake, where hap may find 
The serpent sleeping in whose mazy folds 
To hide me, and the dark intent I bring. 
O foul descent ! that I who erst contended 
With gods to sit the highest, am now constrain'd 
Into a beast, and mix'd with bestial slime 
This essence to incarnate and imbrute, 
That to the height of deity aspir'd ; 
But tvhat will not ambition and revenge 
Descend to ? who aspires must down as low 
As high he soar'd, obnoxious first or last 
To basest things. Revenge, at first though sweet, 
Bitter ere long back on itself recoils ; 
Let it ; I reck not, so it light well aim'd. 
Since higher I fall short, on him who next 
Provokes my envy, this new favourite 
Of heav'n, this man of clay, son of despite, 
Whom us the more to spite his Maker rais'd 
From dust : spite then with spite is best repaid. 
So saying, through each thicket dank or dry, 
Like a black mist low creeping, he held on 
19 



218 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK IX. 

His midnight search, where soonest he might find 

The serpent ; him fast sleeping soon he found 

In labyrinth of many a round self-roll'd, 

His head the midst, well stor'd with subtle wiles : 

Not yet in horrid shade or dismal den, 

Nor nocent yet, but on the grassy herb 

Fearless unfear'd he slept : in at his mouth 

The devil enter'd, and his brutal sense, 

In heart or head, possessing soon inspir'd 

With act intelligential ; but his sleep 

Disturb'd not, waiting close the approach of morn. 

Now when as sacred light began to dawn 
In Eden on the humid flow'rs, that breath'd 
Their morning incense, when all things that breathe 
From th' earth's great altar send up silent praise 
To the Creator, and his nostrils fill 
With grateful smell, forth came the human pair, 
And join'd their vocal worship to the choir 
Of creatures wanting voice ; that done, partake 
The season, prime for sweetest scents and airs ; 
Then commune how that day they best may ply 
Their growing work : for much their work outgrew 
The hands despatch of two gard'ning so wide, 
And Eve first to her husband thus began : 

Adam, well may we labour, still to dress 
This garden, still to tend plant, herb and flower, 
Our pleasant task enjoin'd, but till more hands 
Aid us, the work under our labour grows, 
Luxurious by restraint ; what we by day 
Lop overgrown, or prune, or prop, or bind, 
One night or two with wanton growth derides 
Tending to wild. Thou therefore now advise, 
Or bear what to my mind first thoughts present : 
Let us divide our labours, thou where choice 
Leads thee, or where most needs, whether to wind 
The woodbine round this arbour, or direct 
The clasping ivy where to climb, while I 
In yonder spring of roses intermix'd 
With myrtle, find what to re-dress till noon : 



BOOK IX.] PARADISE LOST. 219 

For while so near each other thus all day 
Our task we choose, what wonder if so near 
Looks intervene and smiles, or object new 
Casual discourse draw on, which intermiss 
Our day's work brought to little, though begun 
Early, and th' hour of supper comes unearn'd. 
To whom mild answer Adam thus return'd^ 
Sole Eve, associate sole, to me beyond 
Compare above all living creatures dear, 
Well hast thou motion'd, well thy tho'ts employ'd 
How we might best fulfil the work which here 
God hath assign'd us, nor of me shalt pass 
Unprais'd : for nothing lovelier can be found 
In woman, than to study household good, 
And good works in her husband to promote. 
Yet not so strictly hath our Lord impos'd 
Labour, as to debar us when we need 
Refreshment, whether food, or talk between, 
Food of the mind, or this sweet intercourse 
Of looks and smiles, for smiles from reason flow, 
To brute deny'd, and are of love the food, 
Love not the lowest end of human life. 
For not to irksome toil, but to delight 
He made us, and delight to reason join'd. 
These paths and bow'rs doubt not but our joint hands 
Will keep from wilderness with ease, as wide 
As we need walk, till younger hands ere long 
Assist us : but if much converse perhaps 
Thee satiate, to short absence I could yield : 
For solitude sometimes is best society, 
And short retirement urges sweet return. 
But other doubt possesses me, lest harm 
Befal thee sever'd from me ; for thou know'st 
What hath been warn'd us, what malicious foe 
Envying our happiness, and of his own 
Despairing, seeks to work us wo and shame 
By sly assault ; and somevv^here nigh at hand 
Watches, no doubt, with greedy hope to find 
His wish and best advantage, us asunder, 



S20 PARADISE LOST. [l300K IX. 

Hopeless to circumvent us join'd, where each 

To other speedy aid might lend at need ; 

Whether his first design be to withdraw 

Our fealty from God, or to disturb 

Conjugal love, than which perhaps no bliss 

Enjoy 'd by us excites his envy more ; 

Or this, or worse, leave not the faithful side 

That gave thee being, still shades thee and protects. 

The wife, where danger or dishonour lurks, 

Safest and seemliest, by her husband stays, 

Who guards her, or with her the worst endures. 

1*0 whom the virgin majesty of Eve, 

As one who loves, and some unkindness meets. 

With sweet austere composure thus reply'd : 

Offspring of heav'n and earth, and all earth's lorcl. 
That such an enemy we have, who seeks 
Our ruin, both by thee inform'd I learn. 
And from the parting angel overheard. 
As in a shady nook I stood behind, 
Just then return'd at shut of evening flowers. 
But that thou shouldst my firmness therefore doubt 
To God or thee, because we have a foe 
May tempt it, I expected not to hear. 
His violence thou fear'st not, being such 
As we, not capable of death or pain, 
Can either not receive, or can repel. 
His fraud is then thy fear, which plain infers 
Thy equal fear that my firm faith and love 
Can by his fraud be shaken or seduc'd : 
Tho'ts, which how found they harbour in thy breast, 
Adam, misthought of her to thee so dear ? 

To whom with healing words Adam reply^d : 
Daughter of God and man, immortal Eve ! 
For such thou art, from sin and blame entire : 
Not diffident of thee do I dissuade 
Thy absence from my sight, but to avoid 
Th' attempt itself, intended by our fbe. 
For he who tempts, though in vain, at least asperses 
The tempted with dishonour foul, suppos'd 



BOOK IX.] PARADISE LOST- S21 

Not incorruptible of faith, not proof 

Against temptation : thou thyself with scorn 

And anger wouldst resent the offer'd wrong, 

Though ineffectual found : misdeem not then, 

If such affront I labour to avert 

From thee alone, which on us both at once 

The enemy, though bold will hardly dare, 

Or daring, first on me the assault shall light. 

Nor thou his malice and false guile contemn^ 

Subtle he needs must be, who could seduce 

Angels ; nor think superfluous others aid. 

I from the influence of thy looks receive 

Access in every virtue, in thy sight 

More wise, more watchful, stronger, if need were 

Of outward strength ; while shame, thou looking on 

Shame to be overcome or overreach'd 

Would utmost vigour raise, and rais'd unite. 

"Why shouldst not thou like sense within thee feel 

When I am present, and thy trial choose 

With me, best witness of thy virtue try'd ? 

So spake domestic Adam in his care 
And matrimonial love ; but Eve, who thought 
Less attributed to her faith sincere, 
Thus her reply with accent sweet renew'd : 

If this be our condition, thus to dwell 
In narrow circuit straiten'd by a foe, 
Subtle or violent, we not endued 
Single with like defence, wherever met, 
How are we happy, still in fear of harm ? 
But harm precedes not sin ; only our foe 
Tempting affronts us with his foul esteem 
Of our integrity : his foul esteem 
Sticks no dishonour on our front, but turns 
Foul on himself; then wherefore shunn'd or fear'd 
By us ? who rather double honour gain 
From his surmise prov'd false, find peace within. 
Favour from heav'n, our witness from th' event. 
And what is faith, love, virtue unassay'd 
Alone, without exterior help sustain'd? 
19* 



S22 PARADISE LOST [COOK iX 

Let us not then suspect our happ^ state 
Left so imperfect by the Maker wise, 
As not secure to single or conAin'd. 
Frail is our happiness, if this be so. 
And Eden were no Eden thus expos'd. 

To whom thus Adam fervently reply'd : 
O woman, best are all things as the will 
Of God ordain'd them ; his creating hand 
Nothing imperfect or deficient left 
Of all that he created, much less man, 
Or ought that might his happy state secure. 
Secure from outward force ; within himself 
The danger lies, yet lies within his power : 
Against his will he can receive no harm. 
But God left free the will, for what obeys 
Keason is free, and reason he made right, 
But bid her well beware, and still erect, 
Lest by some fair appearing good surpris'd 
She dictate false, and misinform the will 
To do what God expressly hath forbid. 
Not then mistrust, but tender love enjoins, 
That I should mind thee oft, and mind thou me. 
Firm we subsist, yet possible to swerve, 
Since reason not impossibly may meet 
Some specious object by the foe suborn'd, 
And fall into deception unaware. 
Not keeping strictest watch, as she was warn'd. 
Seek not temptation then, which to avoid 
Were better, and most likely if from me 
Thou sever not : trial will come unsought : 
Wouldst thou approve thy constancy, approve 
First thy obedience ; th' other who can know, 
Not seeing the attempted, who attest ? 
But if thou think, trial unsought may find 
Us both securer than thus warn'd thou seem'st, 
Go ; for thy stay, not free, absents thee more ; 
Go in thy native innocence, rely 
On what thou hast of virtue, summon all, 
t'or God towards thee hath done his part, do ihm$ 



BOOK IX. j PARADISE LOST. 223 

So spake the patriarch of mankind : But Eve 
Persisted, yet submiss though last, reply'd : 

With thy permission then, and thus forewam'd 
Chiefly by what thy own last reasoning words 
Touch'd only, that our trial, when least sx)ught, 
May find us both perhaps far less prepar'd, 
The willinger I go, nor much expect 
A foe so proud will first the weaker seek ; 
So bent, the more shall shame him his repulse. 

Thus saying, from her husband's hand, her hand 
Soft she withdrew, and like a wood-nymph light, 
Oread or dryad, or of Delia's train, 
Betook her to the groves, but Delia's self 
In gait surpass'd, and goddess-like deport, 
Though not as she with bow and quiver arm'd, 
But with such gard'ning tools as art yet rude, 
Guiltless of fire, had form'd, or angels brought. 
To Pales, or Pomona, thus adorn'd, 
Likest she seem'd Pomona when she fled 
Vertumnus, or to Ceres in her prime, 
Yet virgin of Proserpina from Jove. 
Her, long with ardent look his eye pursu'd 
Delighted, but desiring more her stay. 
Oft he to her his charge of quick return 
Repeated, she to him as oft engag'd 
To be return'd by noon amid the bower, 
And all things in best order to invite 
Noontide repast, or afternoon's repose ; 
O much deceiv'd, much failing, hapless Eve> 
Of thy presum'd return ! event perverse ! 
Thou never from that hour in Paradise 
Found'st either sweet repast, or sound repose $ 
Such ambush hid among sweet flow'rs and shades 
Waited with hellish rancour imminent 
To intercept thy way, or send thee back 
Despoil'd of innocence, of faith, of bliss. 
For now, and since first break of dawn the fiend, 
Mere serpent in appearance, forth was come, 
And on his quest, where likeliest he might find 



224 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK IX. 

The only two of mankind, but in them 

The whole included race, his purpos'd prey. 

In bow'r and field he sought, where any tuft 

Of grove or garden-plot more pleasant lay, 

Their tendance or plantation for delight; 

By fountain or by shady rivulet 

He sought them both, but wish'd his hap might find 

Eve separate, he wish'd, but not with hope 

Of what so seldom chanc'd, when to his wish. 

Beyond his hope ; Eve separate he spies, 

Veil'd in a cloud of fragrance, where she stood, 

Half spy'd, so thick the roses blushing round 

About her glow'd, oft stooping to support 

Each flow'r of tender stalk, whose head though gay 

Carnation, purple, azure, or speck'd with gold 

Hung drooping unsustain'd ; them she upstays 

Gently with myrtle band, mindless the while 

Herself, though fairest unsupported flower. 

From her best prop so far, and storm so nigh. 

Nearer he drew, and many a walk travers'd 

Of stateliest covert, cedar, pine, or palm, 

Then voluble and bold, now hid, now seen 

Among thick-woven arborets and flowers, 

Imbordered on each bank, the hand of Eve : 

Spot more delicious than those gardens feign'd, 

Or of reviv'd Adonis, or renown 'd 

Alcinous, host of old Laertes' son, 

Or that, not mystic, where the sapient king 

Held dalliance with his fair Egyptian spouse. 

Much he the place admir'd, the person more. 

As one who long in populous city pent, 

"Where houses thick and sewers annoy the air, 

Forth issuing on a summer's morn to breathe 

Among the pleasant villages and farms 

Adjoin'd, from each thing met conceives delight, 

The smell of grain, or tedded grass, or kine, 

Or dairy, each rural sight, each rural sound ; 

If chance with nymph-like step fair virgin pass, 

What pleasing seem'd, for her now pleases more. 



BOOK IX.] PARADISE LOST. 225 

She most, and in her look sums all delight : 
Such pleasure took the serpent to hehold 
This flow'ry plat, the sweet recess of Eve 
Thus early, thus alone ; her heav'nly form 
Angelic, but more soft, and f£»minine ; 
Her graceful innocence, her every air 
Of gesture, or least action overaw'd 
His malice, and with repine sweet bereav'd 
His fierceness of the fierce intent it brought : 
That space the evil-one abstracted stood 
From his own evil, and for the time remain'd 
Stupidly good, of enmity disarm'd, 
Of guile, of hate, of envy, of revenge : 
But the hot hell that always in him burns, 
Though in mid heav'n, soon ended his delight, 
And tortures him now more, the more he sees 
Of pleasure not for him ordain'd ; then soon 
Fierce hate he recollects, and all his thoughts 
Of mischief, gratulating, thus excites : 

Tho'ts, whither have ye led me ! with what sweet 
Compulsion thus transported to forget 
What hither brought us ! hate, not love, nor hope 
Of Paradise for hell, hope here to taste 
Of pleasure, but all pleasure to destroy, 
Save what is in destroying; other joy 
To me is lost. Then let me not let pass 
Occasion which now smiles : behold alone 
The woman, opportune to all attempts ; 
Her husband, for I view far round, not nigh, 
Whose higher intellectual more I shun, 
And strength, of courage haughty, and of limb 
Heroic built, though of terrestrial mould ; 
Foe not informidable, exempt from wound, 
I not ; so much hath hell debas'd, and pain 
Enfeebled me, to what I was in heav'n. 
She fair, divinely fair, fit love for gods, 
Not terrible, though terror be in love 
And beauty, not approach'd by stronger hate, 



226 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK IX, 

Hate stronger, under show of love well feign'd, 
The way which to her ruin now I tend. 

So spake the enemy of mankind, enclos'd 
In serpent, inmate bad, and toward Eve 
Address'd his way, not with indented wave, 
Prone on the ground, as since, but on his rear, 
Circular base of rising folds, that tower'd 
Fold above fold a surging maze, his head 
Crested aloft, and carbuncle his eyes ; 
With burnish'd neck of verdant gold, erect 
Amidst his circling spires, that on the grass 
Floated redundant : pleasing was his shape, 
And lovely ; never since of serpent kind 
Lovelier, not those that in Illyria chang'd 
Hermione and Cadmus, or the god 
In Epidaurus ; nor to which transform'd 
Ammonian Jove, or Capitoline was seen. 
He with Olympias, this with her who bore 
Scipio the height of Rome. With tract oblique 
At first, as one who sought access, but fear'd 
To interrupt, side-long he works his way; 
As when a ship by skilful steersman wrought 
Nigh river's mouth or foreland, where the wind 
Veers oft, as oft so steers, and shifts her sail : 
So varied he, and of his tortuous train 
Curl'd many a wanton wreath in sight of Eve, 
To lure her eye ; she busied heard the sound 
Of rustling leaves, but minded not, as us'd 
To such disport before her through the field. 
From every beast, more duteous at her call, 
Than at Circean call the herd disguis'd. 
He bdder now, uncali'd before her stood. 
But as in gaze admiring ; oft he bow'd 
His turret crest, and sleek enamel'd neck, 
Fawning, and lick'd the ground whereon she trod. 
His gentle dumb expression turn'd at length 
The eye of Eve to mark his play ; he glad 
Of her attention gain'd, with serpent tongue 



tJOOK IX J PARADISE LOST. 227 

Organic, or impulse of vocal air, 

His fraudulent temptation thus began : 

Wonder not, sov'reign mistress, if perhaps 
Thou canst, who art sole wonder ; much less arm 
Thy looks, the heav'n of mildness, with disdain, 
Displeas'd that I approach thee thus, and gaze 
Insatiate, I thus single, nor have fear'd 
Thy awful brow, more awful thus retir'd. 
Fairest resemblance of thy Maker fair, 
Thee all things living gaze on, all things thine 
By gift, and thy celestial beauty adore 
With ravishment beheld, there best beheld 
When universally admir'd ; but here. 
In this enclosure wild, these beasts among, 
Beholders rude, and shallow to discern 
Half what in thee is fair, one man except 
Who sees thee ? (and what is one ?) who shouldst be 

seen 
A goddess among gods, addr'd and serv'd 
By angels numberless, thy daily train. 

So gloz'd the tempter, and his proem tun'd 
Into the heart of Eve his words made way, 
Though at the voice much marvelling ; at length 
Not unamaz'd she thus in answer spake : 
What may this mean ? language of man pronounc'd 
By tongue of brute, and human sense express'd ! 
The first at least of these I thought deny'd 
To beasts, whom God on their creation-day 
Created mute to all articulate sound ; 
The latter I demur, for in their looks 
Much reason, and in their actions oft appears. 
Thee, serpent, subtlest beast of all the field 
I knew, but not with human voice endued ; 
Redouble then this miracle, and say. 
How cam'st thou speakablc of mute, and liow 
To me so friendly grown above the rest 
Of brutal kind, that daily are in sight : 
Say, for such wonder claims attention due. 

To whom the guileful tempter thus reply'd : 



228 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK IX. 

Empress of this fair world, resplendent Eve, 

Easy to me it is to tell thee all 

What thou command'st, and right thou shouldst be 

obey'd : 
I was at first as other beasts that graze 
The trodden herb, of abject thoughts and low, 
As was my food ; nor ought but food discern'd 
Or sex, and apprehended nothing high : 
Till on a day roving the field, I chanc'd 
A goodly tree far distant to behold 
Loaden with fruit of fairest colours mix'd, 
Ruddy and gold : I nearer drew to gaze ; 
When from the boughs a savory odour blown, 
Grateful to appetite, more pleas'd my sense 
Than smell of sweetest fennel, or the teats 
Of ewe or goat dropping with milk at even, 
Unsuck'd of lamb or kid, that tend their play. 
To satisfy the sharp desire I had 
Of tasting those fair apples, I resolv'd 
Not to defer ; hunger and thirst at once, 
Pow'rful persuaders, quicken'd at the scent 
Of that alluring fruit, urg'd me so keen. 
About the mossy trunk I wound me soon. 
For high from ground the branches would require 
Thy utmost reach, or Adam's : round the tree 
All other beasts that saw, with like desire 
Longing and envying stood, but could not reach 
Amid the tree now got, where plenty hung 
Tempting so nigh, to pluck and eat my fill 
I spar'd not, for such pleasure till that hour 
At feed or fountain never had I found. 
Sated at length, ere long I might perceive 
Strange alteration in me, to degree 
Of reason in my inward pow'rs, and speech 
Wanted not long, though to this shape retain'd. 
Thenceforth to speculations high or deep 
I turn'd my thoughts, and with capacious mind 
Consider'd all things visible in heav'n. 
Or earth, or middle, all things fair and good ; 



BOOK IX.] PARADISE LOST. 229 

But all that fair and good in thy divine 
Semblance, and in thy beauty's heav'nly ray 
United I beheld ; no fair to thine 
Equivalent or second, which compell'd 
Me thus, though importune perhaps, to come 
And gaze, ^nd worship thee, of right declar'd 
Sov'reign of creatures, universal dame. 

So talk'd the spirited sly snake ; and Eve 
Yet more amaz'd unwary thus reply'd : 
Serpent, thy overpraising leaves in doubt 
The virtue of that fruit, in thee first prov'd : 
But say, where grows the tree, from hence how far ? 
For many are the trees of God that grow 
In Paradise, and various, yet unknown 
To us, in such abundance lies our choice, 
As leaves a greater store of fruit untouch'd, 
Still hanging incorruptible, till men 
Grow up to their provision, and more hands 
Help to disburden Nature of her birth. 

To whom the wily adder blithe and glad : 
Empress the way is ready, and not long, 
Beyond a row of myrtles, on a flat. 
Fast by a fountain, one small thicket past 
Of blowing myrrh and balm ; if thou accept 
My conduct, I can bring thee thither soon. 

Lead then, said Eve : He leading swiftly roll'd 
In tangles, and made intricate seem straight, 
To mischief swift. Hope elevates,- and joy 
Brightens his crest ; as when a wand'ring fire, 
Compact of unctuous vapour, which the night 
Condenses, and the cold environs round, 
Kindled through agitation to a flame. 
Which oft, they say, some evil spirit attends, 
Hovering and blazing with delusive light. 
Misleads th' amaz'd night-wand 'rer from his way 
To bogs and mires, and oft through pond or pool, 
There swallow'd up and lost, from succour far. 
So glister'd the dire snake, and into fraud 
Led Eve our credulous mother, to the tree 
20 



S30 PARADISE LOST. [b60K IX* 

Of prohibition, root of all our wo ; 

Which when she saw, thus to her guide she spake : 

Serpent, we might have spar'd our coming hither 
Fruitless to me, though fruit be here t' excess, 
The credit of whose virtue rest with thee, 
Wondrous indeed, if cause of such effects. 
But of this tree we may not taste nor touch ; 
God so commanded, and left that command 
Sole daughter of his voice : the rest, we live 
Law to ourselves, our reason is our law. 

To whom the tempter guilefully reply'd : 
Indeed ! hath God then said that of the fruit 
Of all these garden trees ye shall not eat, 
Yet lords declar'd of all in earth or air ? 

To whom thus Eve yet sinless : Of the fruit 
Of each tree in the garden we may eat, 
But of the fruit of this fair tree amidst 
The garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat 
Thereof, nor shall ye touch it, lest ye die. 

She scarce had said, though brief, when now more 
bold 
The tempter, but vv^ith show of zeal and love 
To man, and indignation at his wrong, 
New part puts on, and as to passion mov'd, 
Fluctuates disturbed, yet comely and in act 
Rais'd, as if some great matter to begin. 
As when of old some orator renown'd 
In Athens or free Rome, where eloquence 
Flourish'd, since mute, to some great cause address'd, 
Stood in himself collected, while each part. 
Motion, each act won audience ere the tongue, 
Sometimes in height began, as no delay 
Of preface brooking through his zeal of right : 
So standing, moving, or to height up grown, 
The tempter all impassion'd thus began : 

O sacred, Avise, and wisdom-giving plant, 
Mother of science, now I feel thy power 
Within me clear not only to discern 
Things in their causes, but to trace the ways 



BOOK IX.] PARADISE LOST. 231 

Of highest agents, deem'd however wise, 

Queen of this universe, do not believe 

Those rigid threats of death ; ye shall not die : 

How s-hould ye ? by the fruit ? it gives you life 

To knowledge ; by the threat'ner ? look on me, 

Me who have touch'd and tasted, yet both live, 

And life more perfect have attain'd than fate 

Meant me, by vent'ring higher than my lot. 

Shall that be shut to man, which to the beast 

Ts open ? or will God incense his ire 

For such a petty trespass, and not praise 

Rather your dauntless virtue, whom the pain 

Of death denounc'd; whatever thing death be, 

Deterr'd not from achieving what might lead 

To happier life, knowledge of good and evil ; 

Of good, how just ? of evil, if what is evil 

Be real, why not known, since easier shunn'd. 

God therefore cannot hurt ye, and be just ; 

Not just, not God ; not fear'd then, nor obey'd; 

Your fear itself of death removes the fear. 

Why then was this forbid ? Why but to awe, 

Why but to keep ye ^ow and ignorant, 

His worshippers ; he knows that in the day 

Ye eat thereof, your eyes that seem so clear 

Yet are but dim, shall perfectly be then 

Open'd and clear'd, and ye shall be as gods, 

Knowing both good and evil as they know. 

That ye shall be as gods, since I as man, 

Internal man, is but proportion meet ; 

I of brute human, ye of human, gods; 

So ye shall die perhaps, by putting off 

Human, to put on gods ; death to be Avish'd, 

Tho' threaten'd, which no worse than this can bring. 

And what are gods that man may not become 

As they, participating god-like food ? 

The gods are first, and that advantage use 

On our belief, that all from them proceeds ; 

I question it, for this fair earth I see, 

Warm'd by the sun, producing every kind, 



232 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK IX 

Them nothing : if they all things, who enclos'd 
Knowledge of good and evil in this tree, 
That whoso eats thereof, forthwith attains 
Wisdom without their leave ? and wherein lies 
Th' offence, that man should thus attain to know ? 
What can your knowledge hurt him, or this tree 
Impart against his will if all be his ? 
Or is it envy, and can envy dwell 
In heav'nly breasts ? these, these and many more 
Causes import your need of this fair fruit. 
Goddess humane, reach then, and freely taste. 

He ended, and his words replete with guile 
Into her heart too easy entrance won : 
Fix'd on the fruit she gaz'd, which to behold 
Might tempt alone, and in her ears the sound 
Yet rung of his persuasive words, impregn'd 
With reason, to her seeming, and with truth ; 
Meanwhile the hour of noon drew on, and wak'd 
An eager appetite, rais'd by the smell 
So savoury of that fruit, which with desire, 
Inclinable now grown to touch or taste, 
Solicited her longing eye : yet first 
Pausing awhile, thus to herselff she mus'd : 

Great are thy virtues, doubtless, best of fruits, 
Though kept from man, and worthy to be admir'd. 
Whose taste, too long forborne, at first assay 
Gave elocution to the mute, and taught 
The tongue not made for speech to speak thy praise i 
Thy praise he also who forbids thy use, 
Conceals not from us, naming thee the tree 
Of knowledge, knowledge both of good and evil ; 
Forbids us then to taste, but his forbidding 
Commends thee more, while it infers the good 
By thee communicated, and our want 
For good unknown, sure is not had, or had 
And yet unknown, is as not had at all. 
In plain then, what forbids he but to know. 
Forbids us good, forbids us to be wise ? 
Such prohibitions bind not. But if death 



ffOOK IX.] PARADISE LOST. 233 

Bind us with after-bands, what profits then 

Our inward freedom ? In the day we eat 

Of this fair fruit, our doom is we shall die. 

How dies the serpent ? he hath eat'n and lives, 

And knows, and speaks, and reasons, and discerns, 

Irrational till then. For us alone 

Was death invented ? or to us deny'd 

This intellectual food, for beasts reserv'd ? 

For beasts it seems : yet that one beast which first 

Hath tasted, envies not, but brings with joy 

The good befall'n him, author unsuspect, 

Friendly to man, far from deceit to guile. 

What fear I then, rather what know to fear 

Under this ignorance of good and evil, 

Of God or death, of law or penalty ? 

Here grows the cure of all, this fruit divine, 

Fair to the eye, inviting to the taste. 

Of virtue to make wise : what hinders then 

To reach, and feed at once both body and mind ? 

So saying, her rash hand in evil hour 
Forth reaching to the fruit, she pluck'd, she eat . 
Earth felt the wound, and Nature from her seat 
Sighing through all her works gave signs of wo 
That all was lost. Back to the thicket slunk 
The guilty serpent, and well might, for Eve 
Intent now wholly on her taste, naught else 
Regarded, such delight till then, as seem'd, 
In fruit she never tasted, whether true 
Or fancy'd so, through expectation high 
Of knowledge, nor was godhead from her thought. 
Greedily she ingorg'd without restraint. 
And knew not eating death : satiate at length. 
And heighten'd as with wine, jocund and boon 
Thus to herself she pleasantly began : 

O sov'reign, virtuous, precious of all trees 
In Paradise, of operation bl-est 
To sapience, hitherto obscur'd, infam'd. 
And thy fair fruit let hang, as to no end 
Created ; but henceforth mv early care, 
30* 



234 PARADISE LOST. [book h. 

Not without song, each morning and due praise, 
Shall tend thee, and the fertile burden ease 
Of thy full branches offer'd free to all ; 
Till dieted by th«e I grow mature 
In knowledge, as the gods who all things know ; 
Though others envy what they cannot give ; 
For had the gift been theirs, it had not here 
Thus grown. Experience, next to thee I owe, 
Best guide ; not following thee I had remain'd 
In ignorance ; thou open'st wisdom's way, 
And giv'st access, though secret she retire. 
And I perhaps am secret ; heav'n is high. 
High, and remote to see from thence distinct 
Each thing on earth; and other care perhaps 
May have diverted from continual watch 
Our great forbidder, safe with all his spies 
About him. But to Adam in what sort 
Shall I appear ? shall I to him make known 
As yet my change, and give him to partake 
Full happiness with me, or rather not. 
But keep the odds of knowledge in my power 
Without co-partner ? so to add what wants 
In female sex, the more to draw his love, 
And render me more equal, and perhaps, 
A thing not undesirable, sometime 
Superior ; for inferior who is free ? 
This may be well : but what if God have seen, 
And death ensue ? then I shall be no more. 
And Adam wedded to another Eve, 
Shall live with her eni frying, I extinct ; 
A death to think. Confirm'd then I resolve, 
Adam shall share with me in bliss or wo ; 
So dear I love him, that with him all deaths 
I could endure, without him live no life. 

So saying, from the tree her step she turn'd. 
But first low reverence done, as to the power 
That dwelt within, whose presence had infus'd, 
Into the plant sciential sap, deriv'd 
From nectar, drink of gods. Adam the while 



BOOK IX.] PARADISE LOST. 235 

Wailing desirous her return, had wove 

Of choicest fiow'rs a garland to adorn 

Her tresses, and her rural labours crown, 

As reapers oft are wont their harvest queen. 

Great joy he promis'd to his thoughts, and new 

Solace in her return, so long delay'd ; 

Yet oft his heart, divine of something ill. 

Misgave him ; he the falt'ring measure felt ; 

And forth to meet her went, the way she took 

That morn when first they parted ; by the tree 

Of knowledge he must pass, there he her me 

Scarce from the tree returning ; in her hand 

A bough of fairest fruit, that downy smil'd 

New gather'd, and ambrosial smell diffus'd. 

To him she hasted ; in her face excuse 

Came prologue, and apology too prompt, 

Which with bland words at will she thus address'd ; 

Hast thou not wonder'd, Adam, at my stay ? 
Thee I have miss'd, and thought it long deprived 
Thy presence, agony of love till now 
Not felt, nor shall be twice, for never more 
Mean I to try, what rash untry'd I sou-ght. 
The pain of absence from thy sight. But strange 
Hath been the cause, and wonderful to hear ; 
This tree is not as we are told, a tree 
Of danger tasted, nor to evil unknown 
Opening the way, but of divine effect 
To open eyes, and make them gods who taste; 
And hath been tasted such ; the serpent wise, 
Or not restrain'd as we. or not obeying, 
Hath eaten of the fruit, and is become, 
Not dead, as we are threaten'd, but thenceforth 
Endued with voice and human sense, 
Reasoning to admiration, and with me 
Persuasively hath so prevaiPd, that I 
Have also tasted, and have also found 
Th' effects to correspond, opener mine eyes, 
Dim erst, dilated spirits, ampler heart, 
And growing up to godhead ; which for thee 



S36 PARADISE LOST. [BOOK IX. 

Chiefly I sought, without thee can despise. 
For bliss, as thou hast part, to me is bliss, 
Tedious unshar'd with thee, and odious soon* 
Thou therefore also taste, that equal lot 
May join us, equal joy, as equal love J 
Lest thou not tasting, different degree 
Disjoin us, and I then too late renounce 
Deity for thee, when fate will not permit. 

Thus Eve with count'nance blithe her story told 5 
But in her cheek distemper flushing glow'd. 
On th' other side, Adam, soon as he heard 
The fatal trespass done by Eve, amaz'd, 
Astonied stood and blank, while horror chill 
Ran through his veins, and all his joints relax'd; 
From his slack hand the garland wreath'd for Eve 
Down dropt, and all the faded roses shed : 
Speechless he stood and pale, till thus at length 
First to himself he inv/ard silence broke : 
O fairest of creation, last and best 
Of all God's works, creature in whom excell'd 
Whatever can to sight or thought be form'd, 
Holy, divine, good, amiable, or sweet ! 
How art thou lost, how on a sudden lost, 
Defac'd, deflower'd, and now to death devote ? 
Rather how hast thou yielded to transgress 
The strict forbiddance, how to violate 
The sacred fruit forbidden ? some cursed fraud 
Of enemy hath beguil'd thee, yet unknown, 
And me with thee hath ruin'd, for with thee 
Certain my resolution is to die ; 
How can I live without thee, how forego 
Thy sweet converse and love so dearly join'd, 
To live again in these wild woods forlorn ? 
Should God create another Eve, and I 
Another rib afford, yet loss of thee 
Would never from my heart ; no no, I feel 
The link of nature draw me : flesh of flesh, 
Bone of my bone thou art, and from thy state 
Mine never shall be parted, bliss or wo. 



BOOK IX.] PARADISE LOST. 237 

So having said, as one from sad dismay 
Eecomforted, and after thoughts disturb'd 
Submitting to what seem'd remediless, 
Thus in calm mood his words to Eve he turn'd : 

Bold deed thou hast presum'd, advent'rous Eve, 
And peril great provok'd, who thus hast dar'd, 
Had it been only coveting to eye 
That sacred fruit, sacred to abstinence, 
Much more to taste it under ban to touch. 
But past who can recal, or done undo ? 
Not God omnipotent, nor Fate ; yet so 
Perhaps thou shalt not die, perhaps the fact 
Is not so heinous now, foretasted fruit, 
Profan'd first by the serpent, by him first 
Made common and unhallow'd ere our taste ; 
Nor yet on him found deadly, he yet lives, 
Lives, as thou saidst, and gains to live as man 
Higher degree of life, inducement strong 
To us, as likely tasting to attain 
Proportional ascent, which cannot be 
But to be gods, or angels, demi-gods. 
Nor can I think that God, Creator wise, 
Though threat'ning, will in earnest so destroy 
Us his prime creatures, dignify'd so high, 
Set over all his works, which in our fall, 
For us created, needs with us must fail, 
Dependent made ; so God shall uncreate, 
Be frustrate, do, undo, and labour lose, 
Not well conceiv'd of God, who, though his power 
Creation could repeat, yet would be loath 
Us to abolish, lest the adversary 
Triumph and say ; Fickle their state whom God 
Most favours ; who can please him long ? Me first 
He ruin'd, now mankind ; whom will he next ? 
Matter of scorn, not to be given the foe. 
However I with thee have fix'd my lot, 
Certain to undergo like aoom ; if death 
Consort with thee, death is to me as life ; 
So forcible within my heart I feel 



238 PARADISE LOST. [boOK IT \ 

The bond of nature draw me to my own, 
My own in thee, for what thou art is mine J 
Our state cannot be sever'd, we are one, 
One flesh ; to lose thee were to lose myself. 

So Adam, and thus Eve to him reply 'd : 
O glorious trial of exceeding love. 
Illustrious evidence, example high ! 
Engaging me to emulate, but short 
Of thy perfection, how shall I attain, 
Adam ? from whose dear side I boast me sprung, 
And gladly of our union hear thee speak. 
One heart, one soul in both ; whereof good proof 
This day affords, declaring thee resolv'd. 
Rather than death or aught than death more dr^ad 
Shall separate us, link'd in love so dear. 
To undergo with me one guilt, one crime, 
If any be, of tasting this fair fruit, 
Whose virtue (for of good still good proceeds. 
Direct, or by occasion) hath presented 
This happy trial of thy love, which else 
So eminently never had been known. 
Were it I thought death menac'd would ensue 
This my attempt, I would sustain alone 
The worst, and not persuade thee, rather die 
Deserted, than oblige thee Avith a fact 
Pernicious to thy peace, chiefly assur'd 
Remarkably so late, of thy so true, 
So faithful love unequal'd ; but I feel 
Far otherwise th' event, not death, but life 
Augmented, open'd eyes, new hopes, new joys, 
Taste so divine, that what of sweet before 
Hath touch'd my sense, flat seems to this, an(J barsk 
On my experience, Adam, freely taste, 
And fear of death deliver to the winds. 

So saying, she embrac'd him, and for joy 
Tenderly wept, much won that he his love 
Had so ennobled, as of choice to incur 
Divine displeasure for her sake, or death. 
In recompense (for such compliance bad 



aOOK IX.] PARADISE LOST. 255 

Such recompense best merits) from the bough 

She gave him of that fair enticing fruit 

With liberal hand : he scrupled not to eat 

Against his better knowledge, not deceiv'd, 

But fondly overcome Avith female charm. 

Earth trembled from her entrails, as again 

In pangs, and Nature gave a second groan, 

Sky lour'd, and muttering thunder, some sad drops 

Wept at completing of the mortal sin 

Original ; while Adam took no thought, 

Eating his fill, nor Eve to iterate 

Her former trespass fear'd, the more to soothe 

Him with her lov'd society that now 

As with new wine intoxicated both, 

They swim in mirth, and fancy that they feel 

Divinity within them breeding wings 

Wherewith to scorn the earth : but that false fruit 

Far other operation first display'd, 

Carnal desire inflaming ; he on Eve 

Began to cast lascivious eye, she him 

As wantonly repaid ; in lust they burn : 

Till Adam thus 'gan Eve to dalliance move : 

Eve, now I see thou art exact of taste, 
And elegant, of sapience no small part, 
Since to each meaning savour we apply, 
And palate call judicious ; I the praise 
Yield thee, so well this day thou hast purveyed 
Much pleasure we have lost, while we abstain'd 
From this delightful fruit, nor known till now 
True relish, tasting ; if such pleasure be 
Tn things to us forbidd'n, it might be wish'd, 
For this one tree had been forbidden ten. 
But come, so well refresh'd, now let us play, 
As meet is after such delicious fare; 
For never did thy beauty since the day 
I saw thee first and wedded thee, adorn'd 
With all perfections, so inflame my sense 
With ardour to enjoy thee, fairer now 
Than ever, bounty of this virtuous tree. 



S40 PARADISE LOST. [^002 IX. 

So said he, and forbore not glance or toy 
Of amorous intent, well understood 
Of Eve, whose eye darted contagious fire» 
Her hand he seiz'd, and to a shady bank, 
Thick overhead with verdant roof embow'rd. 
He led her nothing loath ; flow'rs were the couch 
Pansies, and violets, and asphodel, 
And hyacinth, earth's freshest softest lap. 
There they their fill of love and love's disport 
Took largely, of their mutual guilt the seal, 
The solace of their sin, till dewy sleep 
Oppress'd them, wearied with their amorous play. 
Soon as the force of that fallacious fruit, 
That with exhilarating vapour bland 
About their spirits had play'd, and inmost powers. 
Made err, was now exhal'd ; and grosser sleep 
Bred of unkindly fumes, with conscious dreams 
Encumber'd, now had left them ; up they rose 
As from unrest, and each the other viewing, 
Soon found their eyes how open'd, and their mil ^ 
How darken'd ; innocence, that as a veil 
Had shadow'd them from knowing ill, was gone, 
Just confidence, and native righteousness, 
And honour from about them, naked left 
To guilty shame : he cover'd, but his robe 
Uncover'd more. So rose the Danite strong 
Herculean Sampson from the harlot-lap 
Of Philistean Dalilah, and wak'd 
Shorn of his strength, they destitute and bare 
Of all their virtue : silent, and in face 
Confounded long they sat, as stricken mute, 
Till Adam, though not less than E ve abash'd, 
At length gave utterance to these words constrain'd 

O Eve, in evil hour thou ^idst give ear 
To that false worm, of whomsoever taught 
To counterfeit man's voice, true in our fall. 
False in our promis'd rising ; since our eyes 
Open'd we find indeed, and find we know 
Both good and evil, good lost, and evil got. 



BOOK IX.] PARADISE LOST. 241 

Bad fruit of knowledge ^ if this be to know 

Which leaves us naked thus, of honour void, 

Of innocence, of faith, of purity. 

Our wonted ornaments now soil'd and stain'd. 

And in our faces evident the signs^ 

Of foul concupiscence : whence evil store ; 

Ev'n shame, the last of evils ; of the first 

Be sure then. How shall I behold the face 

Henceforth of God or angel erst with joy 

And rapture so oft beheld ? those heavenly shapes 

Will dazzle now this earthly with their blaze 

Insufferably bright. O might I here 

In solitude like savage, in some giade 

Obscur'd, where highest woods impenetrable 

To star or sun-light spread their umbrage broad 

And brown as evening : cover me, ye pines. 

Ye cedars, with innumerable boughs 

Hide me, where I may never see them more.. 

But let us now, as in bad plight, devise 

What best may for the present serve to hide 

The parts of each from other, that seem most 

To shame obnoxious, and unseemliest seen : 

Some tree, whose broad smooth leaves together sow^S, 

And girded on our loins, may cover round 

Those middle parts, that this new comer shame 

There sit not, and reproach us as unclean. 

So counsell'd he, and both together went 
Into the thickest wood ; there soon they chose 
The fig-tree, not that kind for fruit reno^vn'd, 
But such as at this day to Indians known 
In Malabar or Decan spread her arms 
Branching so broad and long, that in the ground 
The bended twigs take root, and daughters grow 
About the mother tree, a pillar'd shade 
High over-arch'd and echoing walks between ; 
There oft the Indian herdsman shunning heat 
Shelters in cool, and tends his pasturing herds 
At loop-holes cut thro' thickest shade. Those leaves 
They gather'd, broad as Amazonian targe, 
21 



242 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK IX, 

And with what skill they had, together sow'd 
To gird their waist, vain covering if to hide 
Their guilt and dreaded shame ; how unlike 
To that first naked glory ! Such of late 
Columbus found th' American, so girt 
With feather'd cincture, naked else and wild 
Among the trees on isles and woody shores. 
Thus fenc'd and as they thought, their shame in part 
Cover'd, but not at rest, or ease of mind. 
They sat them down to weep ; nor only tears 
Rain'd at their eyes, but high winds worse within 
Began to rise, high passions, anger, hate, 
Mistrust, suspicion, discord, and shook sore 
Their inward state of mind, calm region once 
And full of peace, now tost and turbulent ; 
For understanding rul'd not, and the will 
Heard not her lore, both in subjection now 
To sensual appetite, who from beneath 
Usurping over sov'reign reason claim'd 
Superior sway: from thus distemper'd breast, 
Adam, estrang'd in look and altered style, 
Speech intermitted thus to Eve renew'd : 

Would thou hadst hearken'd to my words and stay'd 
With me as I besought thee, when that strange 
Desire of wand'ring this unhappy morn, 
I know not whence, possess'd thee ; we had then 
Remain'd still happy, not as now despoil'd 
Of all our good, sham'd, naked, miserable. 
Let none henceforth seek needless cause t' approve 
The faith they owe ; when earnestly they seek 
Such proof, conclude they then begin to fail. 

To whom soon mov'd with touch of blame thus Eve. 
What words have pass'd thy lips, Adam severe ! 
Imput'st thou that to my default, or will 
Of wand'ring, as thou call'st it, which who knows 
But might as ill have happen'd thou being by, 
Or to thyself perhaps ? hadst thou been there, 
Or here th' attempt, thou couldst not have discern'd 
Fraud in the serpent, speaking as he spake ; 



BOOK U.\ PARADISE LOST. 243 

No ground of enmity between us known, 
Why he should mean me ill, or seek to harm. 
Was I to have never parted from thy side ? 
As good have grown there still a lifeless rib. 
Being as I am, why didst not thou the head 
Command me absolutely not to go, 
Going into such danger as thou saidst? 
Too facile then thou didst not much gainsay, 
Nay didst permit, approve, and fair dismiss. 
Hadst thou been firm and fix'd in thy dissent, 
Neither had I transgress'd, nor thou with me. 

To whom then first incens'd Adam reply'd : 
Is this the love, is this the recompense 
Of mine to thee, ingrateful Eve, express'd 
Immutable when thou wert lost, not I, 
Who might have liv'd and joy'd immortal bliss, 
Yet willingly chose rather death with thee ! 
And am I now upbraided as the cause 
Of thy transgressing ? not enough severe, 
It seems, in thy restraint: what could I more? 
I warn'd thee, I admonish'd thee, foretold 
The danger, and the lurking enemy 
That lay in wait ; beyond this had been force, 
And force upon free will hath here no place. 
But confidence then bore thee on, secure 
Either to meet no danger, or to find 
Matter of glorious trial; and perhaps 
I also err'd in overmuch admiring 
What seem'd in thee so perfect, that I thought 
No evil durst attempt thee, but I rue 
That error now, which is become my crime, 
And thou th' accuser. Thus it shall befal 
Him who to worth in women overtrusting 
Lets her will rule : restraint she will not brook. 
And left to herself, if evil thence ensue. 
She first his weak indulgence will accuse. 

Thus they in mutual accusation spent 
The fruitless hours, but neither self-condemning, 
And of their vain contest appear'd no end. 

END OF THE NINTH BOOK. 



THE 

TENTH BOOK 

OF 

PARADISE LOST. 



THE ARGUMENT. 



Man's transgression known, the guardian angels forsake Paradise^ 
and return up to Heaven to approve their vigilance, and are ap- 
proved, God declaring that the entrance of Satan could not be by 
them prevented. He sends his Son to judge the transgressors, 
who descends and gives sentence accordingly ; then in pity clothes 
them both, and reascends. 

Sin and Death sitting till then at the gates of Hell, by won- 
drous sympathy feeling the success of Satan in this new world, 
and the sin by man there committed, resolves to sit no longer con- 
fined in Hell, but to follow Satan their sire up to the place of 
man : to make the way easier from Hell to this world to and fro, 
they pave a broad high-way or bridge over Chaos, according to 
the track that Satan first made ; then preparing for Earth, they 
meet him proud of his success, returning to Hell ; their mutual 
gratulation. Satan arrives at Pandemonium, in full assembly 
relates with boasting his success against man : instead of ap- 
plause is entertained with a general hiss by all his audience, 
transformed with himself also suddenly into serpents, according 
to his doom given in Paradise ; then deluded with a show of the 
forbidden tree springing up before them, they greedily reaching 
to take of the fruit, chew dust and bitter ashes. The proceedings 
ctf Sin and Death ; God foretels the final victory of his Son over 
them, and the renewing of all things : but for the present com- 
mands his angels to make several alterations in the Heavens and 
elements. Adam more and more perceiving his fallen condition 
heavily bewails, rejects the condolement of Eve : she persists, and 
at length appeases him : then to evade the curse likely to fall 
on their offspring, proposes to Adam violent ways, which he ap- 

{)roves not, but conceiving better hope, puts her in mind of the 
ate promise made them, that her seed should be revenged on the 
serpent, and exhorts her with him to seek peace of the offended 
Deity, by repentance and supplication. 



PARADISE LOST. 



BOOK X. 



Meanwhile the heinous and despiteful act 

Of Satan done in Paradise, and how 

He in the serpent, had perverted Eve, 

Her husband she, to taste the fatal fruit, 

AVas known in heav'n ; for what can 'scape the eye 

Of God all-seeing, or deceive his heart 

Omniscient ? who in all things wise and just, 

Hinder'd not Satan to attempt the mind 

Of man, with strength entire and free will arm'd, 

Complete to have discover'd and repuls'd 

Whatever wiles of foe or seeming friend. 

For still they knew, and ought to have still remem 

ber'd 
The high injunction not to taste that fruit, 
"Whoever tempted ; which they not obeying, 
Incurr'd (what could they less ?) the penalty, 
And manifold in sin, deserv'd to fall. 
Up into heav'n from Paradise in haste 
The angelic guards ascended, mute and sad 
For man, for of his state by this they knew. 
Much wond'ring how the subtle fiend had stol'n 
Entrance unseen. Soon as th' unwelcome news 
From earth, arriv'd at heav'n gate, displeas'd 
All were who heard : dim sadness did not spare 
That time celestial visages, yet mix'd 



248 PARADISE LOST. [BOOK X. 

With pity, violated not their bliss. 
About the new-arriv'd, in multitudes 
Th' etherial people ran, to hear and know 
How all befel ; they towards the throne supreme, 
Accountable made haste to make appear 
With righteous plea their utmost vigilance, 
And easily approv'd ; when the most high 
Eternal Father, from his secret cloud :^ 
Amidst, in thunder utter'd thus his voice : 

Assembled angels, and ye pow'rs return'd 
From unsuccessful charge, be not dismay'd, 
Nor troubled at these tidings from the earth, 
Which your sincerest care could not prevent, 
Foretold so lately what would come to pass. 
When first this tempter cross'd the gulf from hell. 
I told ye then he should prevail and speed 
On his bad errand, man should be seduc'd 
And flatter'd out of all, believing lies 
Against his Maker ; no decree of mine 
Concurring to necessitate his fall. 
Or touch with lightest moment of impulse 
His free will, to her own inclining left 
In even scale. But fallen he is, and now 
What rests, but that the mortal sentence pass 
On his transgression, death denounc'd that day ? 
Which he presumes already vain and void, 
Because not yet inflicted, as he fear'd. 
By some immediate stroke ; but soon shall find 
Forbearance no acquittance, ere day end 
Justice shall not return as bounty scorn'd. 
But whom send I to judge them ? whom but thee 
Vicegerent Son? to thee I have transferr'd 
All judgment whether in heav'n, or earth, or hell. 
Easy it may be seen that I intend 
Mercy colleague with justice, sending thee 
Man's friend, his mediator, his design'd 
Both ransom and redeemer voluntary, 
And destin'd man himself to judge man fall'n. 



BOOKX.] TARADISE LOST. 249 

So spake the Father, and unfolding briglrt 
Toward the right hand his glory, on the Son 
Blaz'd forth unclouded deity; he full 
Kesplendent all his Father manifest 
Express'd, and thus divinely answer'd mild: 

Father eternal, thine is to decree, 
Mine both in heav'n and earth, to do thy will 
Supreme, that thou in me thy Son belov'd 
Mayst ever rest well pleas'd. I go to judge 
On earth these thy transgressors, but thou know'st, 
Whoever judg'd, the worst on me must light, 
When time shall be, for so I undertook 
Before thee ; and not repenting, this obtain 
Of right, that I may mitigate their doom 
On me deriv'd, yet I shall temper so 
Justice with mercy, as m.ay illustrate most 
Them fully satisfy'd, and thee appease. 
Attendance none shall need, nor train, where nans 
Are to behold the judgment, but the jug'd, 
Those two; the third best absent is condemn'd, 
Convict by flight, and rebel to all law ; 
Conviction to the serpent none belongs. 

Thus saying from his radiant seat he rose 
Of high collateral glory : him thrones and powers, 
Princedoms, and dominations ministrant 
Accompanied to heav'n gate, from whence 
Eden and all the coast in prospect lay. 
Down he descended straight; the speed of gods 
Time counts not, tho' with swiftest minutes wing'd. 
Now was the sun in western cadence low 
From noon, and gentle airs due at their hour 
To fan the earth now wak'd, and usher in 
The evening cool, when he from wrath more cool 
Came the mild judge and intercessor both 
To sentence man : the voice of God they heard 
Now walking in the garden, by soft winds 
Brought to their ears, while day declin'd ; they heard, 
And from his presence hid themselves among 
The thickest trees, both man and wife, till God 



PARADISE LOST. [bOOK X 

Approaching, thus to Adam call'd aloud : 
Where art thou Adam, wont with joy to meet 
My coming seen far off? I miss thee here, 
Not pleas'd, thus entertain'd with solitude, 
"Where obvious duty erewhile appear'd unsought : 
Or come I less conspicuous, or what change 
Absents thee, or what chance detain ? Come forth I 

He came, and with him Eve, more loath, though 
first 
To offend, discount'nanc'd both, and discomposed ; 
Love was not in their looks, either to God 
Or to each other, but apparent guilt, 
And shame, and perturbation, and despair. 
Anger, and obstinacy, and hate, and guile. 
Whence Adam, falt'ring long, thus answer'd brief, 
1 heard thee in the garden, and of thy voice 
Afraid, being naked, hid myself. To whom 
The gracious judge, without revile reply'd : 
My voice thou oft hast heard, and hast not fear'd, 
But still rejoic'd; how is it now become 
So dreadful to thee ? that thou art naked, who 
Hath told thee ? hast thou eaten of the tree, 
Whereof I gave thee charge thou shouldst not eat ? 

To whom thus Adam sore beset replied : 

heav'n ! in evil strait this day I stand 
Before my judge, either to undergo 
Myself the total crime, or to accuse 
My other self, the partner of my life ; 
Whose failing, while her faith to me remains, 

1 should conceal, and not expose to blame 
By my complaint ; but strict necessity 
Subdues me, and calamitous constraint. 
Lest on my head both sin and punishment, 
However insupportable, be all 

Devolv'd : though should I hold my peace, yet thou 

Wouldst easily detect what I conceal. 

This woman, whom thou mad'st to be my help. 

And gav'st me as thy perfect gift, so good, 

So fit} so acceptable, so divine, 



BOOK X.] PAEADISE LOST. 251 

That from her hand I could suspect no ill, 
And what she did, whatever in itself, 
Her doing seem'd to justify the deed ; 
She gave me of the tree, and I did eat. 

To whom the sov'reign Presence thus reply'd : 
Was she thy God, that her thou didst obey 
Before his voice, or was she made thy guide 
Superior, or but equal, that to her 
Thou didst thy manhood, and the place 
Wherein God set thee above her made of thee, 
And for thee, whose perfection far excell'd 
Hers in real dignity? Adorn'd 
She was indeed, and lovely to attract 
Thy love, not thy subjection ; and her gifts 
Were such as under government well seem'd, 
Unseemly to bear rule, which was thy part 
And person hadst thou known thyself aright. 

So having said, he thus to Eve in few : 
Say, woman, what is this which thou hast done ? 

To whom sad Eve with shame nigh overwhelm'd. 
Confessing soon, yet not before her judge 
Bold or loquacious, thus abash'd reply'd : 
The serpent me beguil'd and I did eat, 

Which when the Lord God heard, without delay 
To judgment he proceeded on th' accus'd 
Serpent though brute, unable to transfer 
The guilt on him who made him instrument 
Of mischief, and polluted from the end 
Of his creation : justly then accurs'd. 
As vitiated in nature ; more to know 
Concerned not man (since he no further knew) 
Nor alter'd his offence ; yet God at last 
To satan first in sin his doom apply'd, 
Though in mysterious terms, judged as then best: 
And on the serpent thus his curse let fall : 
Because thou hast done this, thou art accurs'd 
Above all cattle, each beast of the field ; 
Upon thy belly groveling thou shalt go. 
And dust shall eat all the days of thy life. 



262 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK Z. 

Between thee and the woman, I will put 

Enmity, and between thine and her seed ; 

Her seed shall bruise thyJbead, thou bruise his heel. 

So spake this oracle, then verify'd 
When Jesus son of Mary, second Eve, 
Saw Satan fall like lightning down from heav'n, 
Prince of the air ; then rising from his grave 
Spoil'd principalities and pow'rs, triumph'd 
In open show, and with ascension bright, 
Captivity led captive through the air, 
The realm itself of Satan long usurp'd. 
Whom he shall tread at last under our feet ; 
Ev'n he who now foretold his fatal bruise. 
And to the woman thus his sentence turn'd : 
Thy sorrow I will greatly multiply 
By thy conception ; children thou shalt bring 
In sorrow forth ; and to thy husband's will 
Thine shall submit; he over thee shall rule. 

On Adam last thus judgment he pronounc'd: 
Because thou hast hearken'd to the voice of thy wife, 
And eaten of the tree, concerning which 
I charg'd thee saying, Thou shalt not eat thereof: 
Curs'd is the ground for thy sake ; thou in sorrow 
Shalt eat thereof all the days of thy life ; 
Thorns also and thistles it shall bring thee forth 
Unhid ; and thou shalt eat th' herb of the field. 
In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, 
Till thou return unto the ground ; for thou 
Out of the ground wast taken, know thy birth, 
For dust thou art, and shalt to dust return. 

So judg'd he man, both judge and saviour sent, 
And th' instant stroke of death denounc'd that day 
Kemov'd far off: then pitying how they stood 
Before him naked to the air, that now 
Must suffer change, disdain'd not to begin 
Thenceforth the form of servant to assume. 
As when he wash'd his servants' feet, so now, 
As father of his family he clad 
Their nakedness with skins of beasts, or slain, 



BOOK X.J PARADISE LOST. 2^ 

Or as the snake with youthful coat repaid ; 

And thought not much to clothe his enemies; 

Nor he their outward only with the skins 

Of beasts, but inward nakedness, much more 

Opprobrious, with his robe of righteousness, 

Arraying cover'd from his Father's sight. 

To him with swift ascent he up return'd. 

Into his blissful bosom reassum'd 

In glory as of old ; to him appeas'd 

All, though all-knowing, what had pass'd with man 

Recounted, mixing intercession sweet. 

Meanwhile ere thus was sinn'd and judg'd on Earth, 
Within the gates of hell sat Sin and Death, 
In counterview within the gates, that now 
Stood open wide, belching outrageous flame 
Far into Chaos, since the fiend pass'd through, 
Sin opening, \^ ho thus now to Death began : 

O son, why sit we here each other veiwing 
Idly, while Satan our great author thrives 
In other worlds, and happier seat provides 
For us his offspring dear ? It ca.nnot be 
But that success attends him ; if mishap, 
Ere this he had return'd, with fury driven 
By his avengers, since no place like this 
Can fit his punishment, or their revenge. 
Methinks I feel new strength within me rise, 
Wings growing, and dominion given me large 
Beyond this deep ; whatever draws me on, 
Or sympathy, or some connatural force 
Pow'rful at greatest distance to unite 
With secret amity things of like kind 
By secretest conveyance. Thou my shade 
Inseparable must with me along : 
For Death from Sin no pow'r can separate. 
But lest the difficulty of passing back 
Stay his return perhaps over this gulf 
Impassable, impervious, let us try 
Advent'rous work, yet to thy pow'r and miae 
Not unagreneable. to found apath 



254 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK X 

Over this main from hell to that new world 
Where Satan now prevails, a monument 
Of merit high to all th' infernal host, 
Easing their passage hence, for intercourse, 
Or transmigration, as their lot shall lead. 
Nor can I miss the way, so strongly drawn 
By this new felt attraction and instinct. 

Whom thus the meagre shadow answer'd soon : 
Go whither fate and inclination strong 
Leads thee ; I shall not lag behind, nor err 
The way, thou leading, such a scent I draw 
Of carnage, prey innumerable, and taste 
The savour of death from all things there that live . 
Nor shall I to the work thou enterprisest 
Be wanting, but afford thee equal aid. 

So saying, with delight he snuff 'd the smell 
Of mor>tal change on earth. As when a flock 
Of ravenous fowl, though many a league remote, 
\gainst the day of battle, to a field, 
jVhere armies lie encamp'd, come flying, lur'd 
With scent of living carcasses dcsign'd 
For death the following day, in bloody fight : 
So scented the grim feature, and upturn'd 
His nostril wide into the murky air, 
Sagacious of his quarry from so far. 
Then both from out hell gates into the waste 
Wide anarchy of Chaos damp and dark 
Flew diverse, and with pow'r (their pow'r was great) 
Hovering upon the waters, what they met 
Solid or slimy, as in raging sea 
Tost up and down, together crowded drove 
From each side shoahng towards the mouth of hell • 
As when two polar winds, blowing adverse, 
Upon the Cronian sea, together drive 
Mountains of ice, that stop th' imugin'd way 
BeyonJ Petsora eastward, to the rich 
Cathaian coast. The aggregated soil 
Death with his mace petrific, cold and dry, 
As with a trident smote, and fix'd as firm 



BOOK X.] PARADISE LOST. 25.5 

As Delos floating once ; tlie rest his look 

Bound with Gorgonian rigour not to move ; 

And with asphaltic slime, broad as the gate, 

Deep as the roots of hell the gather'd beach 

They fasten'd, and the mole immense wrought on 

Over the foaming deep high arch'd, a bridge 

Of length prodigious, joining to the wall 

Immoveable of this now fenceless world 

Forfeit to Death ; from hence a passage broad, 

Smooth, easy, inoffensive down to hell. 

So if great things to small may be compar'd, 

Xerxes, the liberty of Greece to yoke. 

From Susa, his Memnonian palace high, 

Came to the sea, and over Hellespont 

Bridging his way, Europe with Asia join'd; 

And scourg'd with many a stroke the indignant waves. 

Now had they brought the work by wondrous art 

Pontifical, a ridge of pendant rock, 

Over the vex'd abyss, following the track 

Of Satan to the self-same place where he 

First lighted from his wing, and landed safe 

From out of Chaos, to the outside bare 

Of this round world : with pins of adamant 

And chains they made all fast, too fast they mad© 

And durable ; and now in little space 

The confines met of empyrean heav'n 

And of this world, and on the left hand hell 

With long reach interpos'd; three several ways 

[n sight, to each of these three places led. 

And now their way to earth they had descay'd 

To Paradise first tending, when behold 

Satan in likeness of an angel bright 

Betwixt the Centaur and the Scorpion steering 

His zenith, while the sun in Aries rose : 

Disguis'd he came, but those his children dear 

Their parent soon discern'd, though in disguise. 

He after Eve seduc'd, unminded slunk 

Into the wood fast by, and changing shape 

To observe the sec^uel, saw his guileful acj 



256 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK X. 

By Eve, though all unweeting seconded 

Upon her husband, saw their shame that sought 

Vain covertures ; but when he saw descend 

The Son of God to judge them, terrify'd 

He fled, not hoping to escape, but shun 

The present, fearing guilty what his wrath 

Might suddenly inflict ; that past, return'd 

By night, and list'ning where the hapless pair 

Sat in their sad discourse, and various plaint ; 

Thence gather'd his own doom, which understood 

Not instant, but of future time, with joy 

And tidings fraught, to hell he now return'd, 

And at the brink of Chaos, near the foot 

Of this new wondrous pontifice, unhop'd 

Met who to meet him came, his offspring dear. 

Great joy was at their meeting, and at sight 

Of that stupendous bridge his joy increas'd. 

Long he admiring stood, till Sin, his fair 

En:hanting daughter, thus the silence broke : 

O parent, these are thy magnific deeds, 
Thy trophies, which thou view'st as not thine own; 
Thou art their author and prime architect : 
For I no sooner in my heart divin'd, 
My heart, which by a secret harmony 
Still moves with thine, join'd in connexion sweet. 
That thou on earth hadst prosper'd, which thy looks 
Now also evidence, but straight I felt 
Though distant from the worlds between, yet felt 
That I must after thee v/ith this thy son, 
Such fatal consequence unites us three : 
Hell could no longer hold us in her bounds, 
Nor this unvoyageable gulf obscure 
Detain from following thy illustrious track. 
Thou hast achiev'd our liberty, confin'd 
Within hell gates till now, thou us impower'd 
To fortify thus far, and overlay 
With this portentous bridge the dark abyss. 
Thine now is all this world ; thy virtue hath won 
What thy hands builded not, thy wisdom gain'd 



BOOK X.] PAlftADlSE LOSt. ^B7 

With odds what war hath lost, and fully aveng'd 
Our foil in heav'n ; here thou shalt monarch reign, 
There didst not ; there let him still victor sway, 
As battle hath ajudg'd, from this new world 
Retiring, by his own doom alienated. 
And henceforth monarchy with thee divide 
Of all things parted by th' empyreal bounds, 
His quadrature, from thy orbicular world. 
Or try thee now more dang'rous to his throne. 

Whom thus the prince of darkness answer'd glad . 
Fair daughter, and thou son and grandchild both, 
High proof ye now have giv'n to be the race 
Of Satan (for I glory in the name, 
Antagonist of heav'n's almighty King,) 
Amply have merited of me, of all 
Th' infernal empire, that so near heavVs door 
Triumphal with triumphal act have met, 
Mine with this glorious work, and made one realm 
Hell and this world, one realm, one continent 
Of easy thorough-fare. Therefore while I 
Descend through darkness, on your road with ease, 
To my associate pow'rs, them to acquaint 
With these successes, and with them rejoice, 
You two this way, among these numerous orbs 
All yours, right down to Paradise descend ; 
There dwell and reign in bliss, thence on the earth 
Dominion exercise and in the air, 
Chiefly on man, sole lord of all declar'd 
Him first make sure your thrall, and lastly kill. 
My substitutes T send ye, and create 
Plenipotent on earth, of matchless might 
Issuing from me : on your joint vigour now 
My hold of this neAV kingdom all depends, 
Through Sin to Death expos'd by my exploil, 
If your joint power prevail, th' affairs of hell 
No detriment need fear ; go and be strong. 

So saying, he dismiss'd them ; they with speed 
Theii course through thickest conste'iations held, 
Spreading iheir bane; the blasted stars look'd wan, 



258 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK X* 

And planets, planet-struck, real eclipse 

Then suffer'd. Th' other way Satan went down 

The causey to hell gate ; on either side 

Disparted Chaos overbuilt exclaim'd, 

And with rebounding surge the bars assail'd, 

That scorn'd his indignation : through the gates, 

Wide open and unguarded, Satan pass'd, 

And all about found desolate ; for those 

Appointed to sit there, had left their charge, 

Flown to the upper world ; the rest were all 

Far to the inland retir'd, about the walls 

Of Pandemonium, city and proud seat 

Of Lucifer, so by allusion call'd, 

Of that bright star to Satan paragon'd. 

There kept their watch the legions, while the grand 

In council sat, solicitous what chance 

Might intercept their emp'ror sent ; so he 

Departing gave command, and they observed. 

As when the Tartar from his Russian foe 
By Astracan, over the snowy plains 
Retires, or Bactrian sophi from the horns 
Of Turkish crescent, leaves all waste beyond 
The realm of Aladule, in his retreat 
To Taurus or Casbeen : so these the late 
Heav'n-banish'd host, lefi desert utmost hell 
Many a dark league, reduc'd in careful watch 
Round their metropolis, and now expecting 
Each hour their great adventurer from the search 
Of foreign worlds : he through the midst unmark'd 
In show plebian, angel militant 
Of lowest order, pass'd ; and from the door 
Of that Plutonian hall, invisible 
Ascended his high throne, which under state 
Of richest texture spread, at the upper end 
Was piac'd in regal lustre. Down awhile 
He sat, and round about him saw unseen ; 
At last as from a cloud his fulgent head 
And shape star-bright appear'd, or brighter clad 
With what permissive glory since his fall 



BOOKX.] PARADISE LOST. 259 

Was left him, or false glitter : all amaz'd 
At that so sudden blaze the Stygian throng 
Bent their aspect, and whom they wish'd beheld, 
Their mighty chief return'd : loud was th' acclaim ; 
Forth rush'd in haste the great consulting peers, 
Rais'd from their dark divan, and with like joy 
Congratulant approach'd him, who with hand 
Silence, and with these words attention won : 

Thrones, dominations, princedoms, virtues, powers, 
For in possession such, not only of right, 
i call ye and declare ye now, return'd 
Successful beyond hope, to lead ye forth 
Triumphant out of this infernal pit 
Abominable, accurs'd, the house of wo. 
And dungeon of our tyrant : now possess. 
As lords, a spacious world, to our native heav'n 
Little inferior, by my adventure hard 
With peril great achiev'd. Long were to tell 
What I have done, what suffer'd, with what pain 
Voyag'd th' unreal, vast, unbounded deep 
Of horrible confusion, over which 
By Sin and Death a broad way now is pav'd 
To expedite your glorious march ; but I 
Toil'd out my uncouth passage, forc'd to ride 
Th' untractable abyss, plung'd in the womb 
Of unoriginal Night and Chaos wild. 
That jealous of their secrets fiercely oppos'd 
My journe}'' strange, with clamorous uproar 
Protesting Fate supreme; thence how I found 
The new created w^orld, which fame in heav'n 
Long had foretold, a fabric wonderful 
Of absolute perfection, therein man 
Plac'd in a Paradise, by our exile 
Made happy; him by fraud I have seduc'd 
From his Creator, and the more to increase 
Your wonder, with an apple ; he thereat 
Offended, worth your laughter, hatli giv'n up 
Both his beloved man and all his world. 
To Sin and Death a prey, and so to us, 



260 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK X. 

Without our hazard, labour, or alarm, 

To range in, and to dwell, and over man 

To rule, as over all he should have rul'd. 

True is, me also he hath judg'd, or rather 

Me not, but the brute serpent in whose shape 

Man I deceiv'd ; that which to me belongs 

Is enmity, which he will put between 

Me and mankind; I am to bruise his heel; 

His seed, when is not set, shall bruise my head : 

A world who would not purchase with a bruise, 

Or much more grievous pain ? Ye have th' account 

Of my performance : what remains, ye gods, 

But up and enter now into full bliss ? 

So having said, awhile he stood, expecting 
Their universal shout and high applause 
To fill his ear, when contrary he hears 
On all sides from innumerable tongues 
A dismal universal hiss, the sound 
Of public scorn ; he wonder'd, but not long 
Had leisure, wondering at himself now more ; 
His visage drawn he felt to sharp and spare. 
His arms clung to his ribs, his legs intwining 
Each other, till supplanted down he fell 
A monstrous serpent on his belly prone, 
Reluctant, but in vain, a greater power 
Now rul'd him, punish'd in the shape he sinn'd, 
According to his doom ; he would have spoke, 
But hiss for hiss return'd with forked tongue 
To forked tongue, for now were all transform 'd 
Alike, to serpents all as accessories 
To his bold riot : dreadful was the din 
Of hissing through the hall, thick swarming now 
With complicated monsters head and tail, 
Scorpion and asp, amphissena dire, 
Cerastes horn'd, hydras, and elops drear, 
And dipsas (not so thick swarm'd once the soil 
Be-dropt with blood of gorgon, or the isle 
Ophiusa,) but still greatest he the midst, 
Now dragon grown, larger than whom the sun 



i 



BOOK X.] PARADISE LOST. 261 

Ingender'd in the Pythian vale on slime, 
Huge Python, and his pow'r no less he seem'd 
Above the rest still to retain ; they all 
Him follow'd issuing forth to the open field, 
Where all yet left of that revolted rout 
Heav'n-fall'n, in station stood or just array. 
Sublime, with expectation when to see 
In triumph issuing forth their glorious chief; 
They saw, but other sight instead, a crowd 
Of ugly serpents ; horror on them fell. 
And horrid sympathy ; for what they saw, 
They felt themselves now changing ; down 

arms, 
Down fell both spear and shield, down they as fast, 
And the dire hiss renewed, and the dire form 
Catch'd by contagion, like in punishment, 
As in their crime. Thus was th' applause they meant, 
Turn'd to exploding hiss, triumph to shame 
Cast on themselves from their own mouths. There 

stood 
A grove hard by, sprung up with this their change, 
His will who reigns above, to aggravate 
Their penance, laden with fair fruit, like that 
Which grew in Paradise, the bait of Eve 
Us'd by the tempter ; on that prospect strange 
Their earnest eyes they fix'd, imagining 
For one forbidden tree a multitude 
Now ris'n, to work them further wo or shame : 
Yet parch'd with scalding thirst and hunger fierce, 
Though to delude them sent, could not abstain, 
But on they roll'd in heaps, and up the trees 
Climbing, sat thicker than the snaky locks 
That cud'd Megaera : greedily they pluck'd 
The fruitage fair to sight, like that which grew 
Near that bituminous lake where Sodom flam'd • 
This more delusive, not the touch, but taste 
Deceiv'd ; they fondly thinking to allay 
Their appetite with gust, instead of fruit, 
Chew'd bitter ashes, which th' offended taste 



262 PARADISE LOST. [SOOK X, 

With spattering noise rejected : oft they assay 'd, 

Hunger and thirst constraining, drugg'd as oft. 

With hatefulest disrelish writh'd their jaws 

With soot and cinders fill'd ; so oft they fell 

Into the same illusion, not as man 

Whom they triumph'd once laps'd. Thus were they 

plagu'd 
And worn with famine, long and ceaseless hiss, 
Till their lost shape, permitted, they resum'd, 
Yearly enjoin'd some say, to undergo 
This annual humbling certain n umber 'd days, 
To dash their pride, and joy for man seduc'd. 
However some tradition they dispers'd 
Among the heathen of their purchase got, 
And fabled how the serpent, whom they call'd 
Ophion with Eurynome, the wide 
Encroaching Eve perhaps, had, first the rule 
Of high Olympus, thence by Saturn driven 
And Ops, ere yet Dictsean Jove was born. 

Meanwhile in Paradise the hellish pair 
Too soon arriv'd, Sin there in pow'r before, 
Once actual, now in body, and to dwell 
Habitual habitant ; behind her Death 
Close following pace for pace, not mounted yet 
On his pale horse : to whom Sin thus began : 

Second of Satan sprung, a'.l conqu'ring Death, 
What think'st thou of our empire now, tho' earn'd 
With travel difficult, no.^ better far 
Than still at hell's darli iJireshold to have sat watch, 
Unnam'd, undreaded, and thyself half starv'd ? 

Whom thus the sin-born monster answer'd soon : 
To me, who with eternal famine pine, 
Alike is hell, or Paradise, or heav'n, 
There best, where most with ravin I may meet ; 
Which here, though plenteous, all too little seems 
To stuff this maw, this vast unhide-bound corps. 

To whom th' incestuous mother thus reply'd : 
Thou therefore on these herbs, and fruits, and flow'rs 
Feed first, en each beast next, and fish, and fowl, 



BOOK X.] PARADISE LOST. 263 

No homely morsels ; and whatever thing 

The scythe of Time mows down, devour unspar'd, 

Till I in man residing through the race, 

His thoughts, his looks, words, actions all infect, 

And season him thy last and sweetest prey. 

This said, they both betook them several ways, 
Both to destroy or unimmortal make 
All kinds, and for destruction to mature 
Sooner or later ; which th' Almighty seeing, 
From his transcendent seat, the Saints among, 
To those bright orders utter'd thus his voice : 

See with what heat these dogs of hell advance 
To waste and havoc yonder world, which I 
So fair and good created, and had still 
Kept in that state, had not the folly of man 
Let in these wasteful furies, who impute 
Folly to me, so doth the prince of hell 
And his adherents, that with so much ease 
I suffer them to enter and possess 
A place so heav'nly, and conniving seem 
To gratify my scornful enemies, 
That laugh, as if transported with some fit 
Of passion, I to them had quitted all, 
At random yielded up to their misrule ; 
And know not that I call'd and drew them thither 
My hell hounds, to lick up the draff and filth 
Which man's polluting sin with taint hath shed 
On what was pure, till cramm'd and gorg'd nigh burst 
With suck'd and glutted offal, at one sling 
Of thy victorious arm, well-pieasing Son, 
Both Sin and Death, and yawning grave at last 
Through Chaos hurl'd obstruct the mouth of hell 
For ever, and seal up his ravenous jaws. 
Then heav'n and earth renew'd shall be made pure 
To sanctity that shall receive no stain ; 
Till then the curse pronounc'd on both precedes. 

He ended, and the heav'nly audience loud 
Sung hallelujah, as the sound of seas. 
Through multitude that sung : Just are thy ways, 



264 PARADISE LOST. [boOK X 

Righteous are thy decrees on all thy works ; 

Who can extenuate thee ? next to the Son, 

Destin'd restorer of mankind, by whom 

New Heav'n and Earth shall to ages rise, 

Or down from heav'n descend. Such was their song". 

While the Creator calling forth by name 

His mighty angels gave them several charge, 

As sorted best with present things. The sun 

Had first his precept so to move, so shine, 

As might effect the earth with cold and heat 

Scarce tolerable, and from the north to call 

Decrepit winter, from the south to bring 

Solstitial summer's heat. To the blanc moon 

Her office they prescrib'd, to th' other five 

Their planetary motions and aspects, 

In sextile, square, and trine, and opposite 

Of noxious efficacy, and when to join 

In synod unbenign ; and taught the fix'd 

Their influence m.alignant when to shower, 

Which of them rising with the sun, or falling. 

Should prove tempestuous ; to the winds they set 

Their corners, when with bluster to confound 

Sea, air, and shore, the thunder when to roU 

With terror through the dark aereal hall. 

Some say he bid his angels turn askance 

The poles of earth twice ten degrees and more 

From the sun's axle ; they with labour push'd 

Oblique the centric globe : some say the sun 

Was bid turn reins from th' equinoctial road 

Like distant breadth to Taurus with the seven 

Atlantic Sisters, and the Spartan Twins 

Up to the Tropic Crab ; thence down amain 

By Leo and the Virgin and the Scales, 

As deep as Capricorn, to bring in change 

Of seasons to each clime ; else had the spring 

Perpetual smil'd on earth with verdant flowers. 

Equal in days and nights, except to those 

Beyond the polar circles ; to them day 

Had unbenighted shone, while the low sun 



BOOKX.] PARADISE LOST. 265 

To recompense his distance, in their sight 

Had rounded still the horizon, and not known 

Or east or west, which had forbid the snow 

From cold Estotiland, and south as far 

Beneath Magellan. At that tasted fruit 

The sun as from Thyestean banquet, turn'i 

His course intended ; else how had the world 

Inhabited though sinless, more than now, 

Avoided pinching cold and scorching heat ? 

These changes in the heav'ns, though slow, produc'd 

Like change on sea and land, sideral blast, 

Vajjour, and mist, and exhalation hot. 

Corrupt and pestilent : now from the north 

Of Norumbega, and the Samoed shore. 

Bursting their brazen dungeon, arm'd with ice 

And snow and hail and stormy gust and flaw, 

Boreas and Caecias and Argestes loud 

And Thrascias rend the woods and seas upturn ; 

With adverse blast upturns them from the south 

Notus and Afer black with thund'rous clouds 

From Serraliona ; thwart of these as fierce 

Forth rush the lev^ant and the ponent winds 

Eur us and Zephyr with their lateral noise. 

Sirocco and Libbecchio. Thus began 

Outrage from lifeless things ; but Discord first 

Daughter of Sin, among th' irrational, 

Death introduc'd through fierce antipathy : 

Beast now with beast 'gan war, and fowl with fowl, 

And fish with fish : to graze the herb all leaving, 

Devour'd each other ; nor stood much in awe 

Of man, but fled him, or with count'nance grim 

Glar'd on him passing. These were from without 

The growing miseries, which Adam saw 

Already in part, though hid in gloomiest shade, 

To sorrow abandon 'd, but worse felt within, 

And in a troubled sea of passion tost, 

Thus to disburden sought with sad complaint : 

O miserable of happy ! is this the end 
Of -this new glorious world, and me so late 



266 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK X. 

The glory of that glory, who now become 

Accurs'd of blessed, hide me from the face 

Of God, whom to behold was then my height 

Of happiness ! yet well, if here would end 

The misery : I deserv'd it, and would bear 

My own deservings ; but this will not serve : 

All that I eat or drink, or shall beget, 

Is propagated curse. O voice once heard 

Delightfully, Increase and midtiply, 

Now death to hear ! for what can I increase 

Or multiply, but curses on my head ? 

Who of all ages to succeed, but feeling 

The evil on him brought by me will curse 

My head ? Ill fare our ancestor impure, 

For this we may thank Adam ; but his thanks 

Shall be the execration ; so besides 

Mine own that bide upon me, all from me 

Shall with a fierce reflux on me redound. 

On me as on their natural centre light 

Heavy, though in their place. O fleeting joys 

Of Paradise, dear bought with lasting woes ! 

Did I request thee Maker, from my clay 

To mould me man, did I solicit thee 

From darkness to promote me, or here place 

In this delicious garden ? as my will 

Concurr'd not to my being, it were but right 

And equal to reduce me to my dust. 

Desirous to resign and render back 

All I receiv'd unable to perform 

Thy terms too hard, by which I was to hold 

The good I sought not. To the loss of that, 

Sufficient penalty, why hast thou added 

The sense of endless woes ? inexplicable 

Thy justice seems ; yet to say truth, too late 

I thus contest ; then should have been refus'd 

Those terms whatever, when they were propos'd 

Thou didst accept them : wilt thou enjoy the good, 

Then cavil the conditions ? and though God 

Made thee without thy leave, what if ^hy son 



BOOK X.] PARADISE LOST. 267 

Prove disobedient, and reprov'd, retort, 

Wherefore didst thou beget me ? I sought it not : 

Wouldst thou admit for his contempt of thee 

That proud excuse ? yet him not thy election, 

But natural necessity begot. 

God made thee of choice his own, and of his own 

To serve him ; thy reward was of his grace, 

Thy punishment then justly is at his will. 

Be it so, for I submit ; his doom is fair, 

That dust I am, and shall to dust return. 

O welcome hour whenever ! why delays 

His hand to execute what his decree 

Fix'd on this day ? why do I overlive. 

Why am I mock'd with death, and lengthen'd out 

To deathless pain ? how gladly would I meet 

Blortality my sentence, and be earth 

Insensible, how glad would lay me down 

As in my mother's lap ? there I should rest 

And sleep secure ; his dreadful voice no more 

Would thunder in my ears, no fear of worse 

To me and to my offspring would torment me 

With cruel expectation. Yet one doubt, 

Pursues me still, lest all I cannot die, 

Lest that pure breath of life, the spirit of man 

Which God inspir'd, cannot together perish 

With this corporeal clod ; then in the grave, 

Or in some other dismal place, who knows 

But shall I die a living death ; O thought 

Horrid, if true ! yet why ? It was but breath 

Of life that sinn'd ; what dies but what had life 

And sin ? the body properly hath neither. 

All of me then shall die : let this appease 

The doubt, since human reach no further knows. 

For though the Lord of all be infinite. 

Is his wrath also ? be it, man is not so. 

But mortal doom'd. How can he exercise 

Wrath without end on man, whom death must end ? 

Can he make deathless death ? that were to make 

Strange contradictio,a, which to God himself 



268 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK X. 

Impossible is held, as argument 
Of weakness, not of pow'r. Will he draw out, 
For anger's sake, finite to infinite 
In punish'd man, to satisfy his rigour 
Satisfy'd never ? that were to extend 
His sentence beyond dust and nature's law, 
By which all causes else according still 
To the reception of their matter act, 
Not io the extent of their own sphere. But say 
That death be not one stroke, as I suppos'd, 
Bereaving sense, but endless misery 
From this day onward, which I feel begun 
Both in me, and without me, and so last 
To perpetuity ; ay me, that fear 
Comes thund'ring back with dreadful revolution 
On my defenceless head : both death and I 
Am found eternal, and incorporate both, 
Nor I on my part single, in me all 
Posterity stands curs'd : fair patrimony 
That I must leave ye, sons ; O were I able 
To waste it all myself, and leave ye none ! 
So disinherited how would ye bless 
Me now your curse ! Ah, why should all mankind 
For one man's fault thus guiltless be condemn'd. 
If guiltless ? But from me what can proceed, 
But all corrupt, both mind and will deprav'd, 
Not to do only, but to will the same 
With me ? how can they then acquitted stand 
m sight of God ? Him after all disputes 
Forc'd I absolve : all my evasions vain, 
And reasonings, though through mazes, lead me still 
But to my own conviction : first and last 
On me, me only, as ihe source and spring 
Of all corruption, all the blame lights due ; 
So might the wrath. Fond wish ! couldst thou sup- 
port 
That burden heavier than the earth to bear. 
Than all the world much heavier, though divided 
With that bad woman ? Thus what thou desir'st 



BOOK X.] PARADISE LOST. 269 

And what thou fear'st, alike destroys all hope 
Of refuge, and concludes thee miserable 
Beyond all past example and future, 
To Satan only like both crime and doom. 

conscience, into what abyss of fears 

And horrors hast thou driven me ; out of which 

1 find no way, from deep to deeper plung'd ! 

Thus Adam to himself lamented loud 
Through the still night, not now, as ere man fell, 
Wholesome and cool, and mild, but with black air 
Accompanied, with damps and dreadful gloom, 
Which to his evil conscience represented 
All things with double terror : on the ground 
Ouistretch'd he lay, on the cold ground, and oft 
Curs'd his creation, death as oft accus'd 
Of tardy execution, since denounc'd 
The day of his offence. Why comes not death, 
Said he, with one thrice acceptable stroke 
To end me ? shall truth fail to keep her word, 
Justice divine not hasten to be just ? 
But death comes not at call, justice divine 
Mends not her slowest pace for pray'rs or cries. 
O woods, O fountains, hillocks, dales and bowers, 
With other echo late I taught your shades 
To answer, and resound far other song. 

Whom thus afflicted when sad Eve beheld, 
Desolate where she sat, approaching nigh, 
Soft words to his fierce passion she assay'd : 
But her with stern regard he thus repell'd : 

Out of my sight, thou serpent ; that name best 
Befits thee with him leagu'd, thyself as false 
And hateful ; nothing wants, but that thy shape. 
Like his, and colour serpentine may show 
Thy inward fraud, to warn all creatures from thee 
Henceforth ; lest that too heav'nly form, pretended 
To heUish falsehood,=^ snare them. But for thee 

♦ " Pretended to hellish falsehood ;" pretended is used in the 
Latin sense of held before. 

23^ 



2V0 PAKADISfi LOST. [bOOK Z. 

I had persisted Kappy, had not thy pride 
And wand'ring vanity, when least was safe, 
Rejected my forewarning, and disdained 
IS'Ot to be trusted., longing to be seen 
Though by the devil himself, him overweening 
To over-reach, but with the serpent meeting, 
Fool'd and beguil'd, by him thou, I by thee, 
To trust thee from my side, imagin'd wise, 
Constant, mature, proof against all assaults, 
And understood not all was but a show, 
Rather than solid virtue, all but a rib 
Crooked by nature, bent, as now appears, 
More to the part sinister, ti:om me drawn, 
Well if thrown out, as supernumerary 
To my just number found. O why did God, 
Creator wise, that peopled highest heav'n 
With spirits masculine, create at last 
This novelty on earth, this fair defect 
Of nature, and not fill the world at once 
With m.en as angels without feminine. 
Or find some other way to generate 
Mankind ? this mischief had not then befall 'n. 
And more than shall befal, innumerable 
Disturbances on earth through female snares, 
And strait conjunction with this sex : for either 
He never shall find out fit mate, but such 
As some misfortune brings him. or mistake ; 
Or whom he wishes most shall seldom gain 
Through her perverseness, but shall see her gain'd 
By a far worse, or if she love, withheld 
By parents : or his happiest choice too late 
Shall meet, already link'd and wedlock-bound 
To a fell adversary, 'his hate or shame : 
Which infinite calamity shall cause 
To human life, and household peace confound. 
He added not, and from her turn'd; but Eve 
Not so repuls'd, with tears that ceas'd not flowing, 
And tresses all disorder'd, at his feet 



BOOKX.] PARADISE LOST. 271 

Fell humble, and embracing them, besought 
His peace, and thus proceeded in her plaint. 

Forsake me not thus, Adam, witness heav'n 
What love sincere, and reverence in my heart 
I bear thee, and unweeting have offended, 
Unhappily deceiv'd ; thy suppliant 
I beg, and clasp thy knees ; bereave me not, 
Whereon I live, thy gentle looks, thy aid, 
Thy counsel in this uttermost distress. 
My only strength and stay : forlorn of thee, 
Whither shall I betake me, where subsist ? 
While yet we live, scarce one short hour perhaps, 
Between us two let there be peace, both joining, 
As join'd in injuries, one enmity 
Against a foe by doom_ express assign'd us, 
That cruel serpent : on me exercise not 
Thy hatred for this misery befall'n. 
On me already lost, me than thyself 
More miserable ; both have sina'd, but thou 
Against God only, I against God and thee, 
And to the place of judgment will return. 
There with my cries importune heav'n, that all 
The sentence from, thy head remov'd may light 
On me, sole cause to thee of all this wo, 
Me, me only, just object of his ire. 

She ended weeping, and her lowly plight, 
Immoveable till peace obtained from fault 
Acknowledg'd and deplor'd, in Adam wrought 
Commiseration ; soon his heart relented 
Towards her, his life so late and sole delight, 
Now at his feet submissive in distress, 
Creatures so fair his reconcilement seeking 
His counsel, whom she had displeas'd, his aid; 
As one disarm'd, his anger all he lost. 
And thus with peaceful words uprais'd her soon. 

Unwary, and too desirous, as before, 
So now of what thou know'st not who desir'st 
The punishment all on thyself; alas. 
Bear thine own first, ill able to sustain 



272 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK X. 

His full wrath, whose thou feel'st as yet least part, 

And my displeasure bear'st so ill. If prayers 

Could alter high decrees, I to that place 

Would speed before thee, and be louder heard, 

That on my head all might be visited, 

Thy frailty and infirmer sex forgiven, 

To me committed and by me expos 'd. 

But rise, let us no more contend, nor blame 

Each other, blam'd enough elsewhere, but strive 

In offices of love, how we may lighten 

Each other's burden, in our share of wo ; 

Since this day's death denounc'd if ought I see, 

Will prove no sudden, but a slow-pac'd evil, 

A long day's dying to augment our pain. 

And to our seed (0 hapless seed !) deriv'd. 

To whom thus Eve, recovering heart, reply'd: 
Adam, by sad experiment I know 
How little weight my words with thee can find. 
Found so erroneous, theuce by just event 
Found so unfortunate ; nevertheless, 
Kestor'd by thee, vile as I am, to place 
Of new acceptance, hopeful to regain 
Thy love, the sole contentment of my heart 
Living or dying, from thee I will not hide 
What thoughts in my unquiet breast are risen, 
Tending to some relief of our extremes, 
Or end, though sharp and sad, yet tolerable. 
As in our evils, and of easier choice. 
If care of our descent perplex us most, 
Which must be born to certain wo, devour'd 
By death at last ; and miserable it is 
To be to others cause of misery. 
Our own begotten, and of our loins to bring 
Into this cursed world a woful race. 
That after wretched life must be at last 
Food for so foul a monster ; in thy power 
It lies, yet ere conception, to prevent 
The race unblest, to being yet unbegot. 
Childless thou art, childless remain : so Death 



BOOK X.] PARADISE LOST. 273 

Shall be deceiv'd his glut, and with us two 
Be forc'd to satisfy his ravenous maw. 
But if thou judge it hard and difficult, 
Conversing, looking, loving, to abstain 
From love's due rites, nuptial embraces sweet, 
And with desire to languish without hope, 
Before the present object languishing 
With like desire, which would be misery 
And torment less than none of what we dread : 
Then both ourselves and seed at once to free 
From what we fear for both, let us make short, 
Let us seek Death, or he not found, supply 
With our own hands his office on ourselves ; 
Why stand we longer shivering under fears, 
That show no end but death, and have the power, 
Of many ways to die, the shortest choosing, 
Destruction with destruction to destroy ? 

She ended here, or vehement despair 
Broke off the rest ; so much of death her thoughts 
Had entertain'd, as dy'd her cheeks with pale. 
But Adam with such counsel nothm'g sway'd. 
To belter hopes his more attentive mind 
Lab 'ring had rais'd, and thus to Eve reply 'd. 

Eve, thy contempt of life and pleasure seems 
To argue in thee something more sublime 
And excellent than what thy mind contemns; 
But self-destruction therefore sought, refutes 
That excellence thought in thee, and implies. 
Not thy contempt, but anguish and regret 
For loss of life, and pleasure overlov'd. 
Or if thou covet death, as utmost end 
3f misery, so thinking to evade 
The penalty pronounc'd doubt not but God 
Hath wiselier arm'd his vengeful ire than so 
To be forestall'd ; much more I fear lest death 
So snatch'd will not exempt us from the pain 
We are by doom to pay ; rather such acts 
Of contumacy will provoke the Highest 
To make death in us live ; then let us seek 



274 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK Z. 

Some safer resolution, which methinks 
I have in view, calling to mind with heed 
Part of our sentence. That thy seed shall bruise 
The serpent's head ; piteous amends, unless 
He meant, whom I conjecture, our grand foe 
Satan, who in the serpent hath contriv'd 
Against us this deceit ; to crush his head 
Would be revenge indeed ; which will be lost 
By death brought on ourselves, or childless days 
Resolv'd as thou proposest : so our foe 
Shall 'scape his punishment ordain'd, and we 
Instead shall double ours upon our heads. 
No more be mention'd then of violence 
Against ourselves, and wilful barrenness, 
That cuts us off from hope, and savours only 
Rancour and pride, impatience and despite. 
Reluctance against God and his jus-t yoke 
Laid on our necks. Remember with what mild 
And gracious temper he both heard and judg'd, 
Without \vrath or reviling ; we expected 
immediate dissolution, which we thought 
Was meant by death that day, when lo, to thee 
Pains only in child-bearing were foretold, 
And bringing forth, soon recompens'd with joy, 
Fruit of thy womb. On me the curse aslope 
Glanc'd on the gro]^nd ; with labour I must earn 
My bread ; what harm ? Idleness had been worse : 
My labour will sustain me ; and lest cold 
Or heat should injure us, his timely care 
Hath unbesought provided, and his hands 
Cloth'd us unworthy, pitying while he judg'd ; 
How much more, if we pray him, will his ear 
Be open, and his heart to pity incline, 
And teach us further by what means to shun 
Th' inclement seasons, rain, ice, hail, and snow 
Which now the sky with various face begins 
To show us in this mountain, while the winds 
Blow moist and keen, shattering the graceful locks 
Of these far spreading trees ; which bids us seek 



BOOKX.] PARADISE LOST. 275 

Some better shroud, some better warmth to cherish 
Our limbs Jbenumb'd, ere this diurnal star 
Leave cold the night, how we his gather'd beams 
Reflected, may with matter sere foment, 
Or by collision of two bodies grind 
The air attrite to fire, as late the clouds 
Justling or push'd with winds rude in their shock 
Tine the slant lightning,* whose thwart flame driv'n 

down 
Kindles the gummy bark of fir or pine, 
And sends a comfortable heat from far. 
Which might supply the sun : such fire to uso, 
And what may else be remedy or cure 
To evils which our own misdeeds have wrought, 
He will instruct us praying, and of grace 
Beseeching him, so as we need not fear 
To pass commodiously this life, sustain'd 
By him with many comforts, till we end 
In dust, our final rest and native home. 
What better can we do, than to the place 
Repairing where he jug'd us, prostrate fall 
Before him reverent, and there confess 
Humbly our faults, and pardon beg, with tears 
Watering the ground, and with our sighs the air 
Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign 
Of sorrow unfeign'd, and humiliation meek ? 
Undoubtedly he will relent and turn 
From his displeasure ; in whose look serene, 
When angry most he seem'd, and most severe, 
What else but favour, grace, and mercy shone ? 

So spake our father penitent, nor Eve 
Felt less remorse ; they forthwith to the place 
Repairing where he judg'd them, prostrate fell 
Before him reverent, and both confess'd 
Humbly their faults, and pardon begg'd with tears 

♦ Tine the slant lightning :'' an old wotI for kindle. 



276 PARADISE LOST. [BOOK X. 

Watering the ground, and with their sighs the air 
Frequenting, sent from hearts contrite, in sign 
Of sorrow unfeign'd, and humiliation meek. 



END OF THE TENTH BOOK. 



THE 

ELEVENTH BOOK 

OF 

PARADISE LOST. 



THE ARGUMENT. 



Thk Son of God presents to his Father the prayers of our first pa- 
rents now repenting, and intercedes for them : God accepts them : 
but declares that they must no longer abide in Paradise ; sends 
Michael with a band of cherubim to dispossess them ; but first 
to reveal to Adam future things : Michael's coming down.— - 
Adam shows to Eve certain ominous signs : he discerns Mi- 
chael's approach, goes out to meet him : the angel denounces 
their departure. Eve's lamentation. Adam pleadg, but submits : 
the angel leads him up to a high hill, sets before him in vision 
what shall happen till the flood. 



PARADISE LOST 



BOOK XI. 



Thus they in lowliest plight repentant stood 

Praying", for from the mercy-seat above, 

Prevenient grace descending had remov'd 

The stony from their hearts, and made new flesh 

Regenerate grow instead, that sighs now breath'd 

Unutterable, which the spirit of pray'r 

Inspir'd, and wing'd for heav'n with speedier flight 

Than loudest oratory : yet their port 

Not of mean suitors, nor important less 

Seem'd their petition, than when the ancient pair 

In fables old, less ancient yet than these, 

Deucalion and chaste Pyrrha, to restore 

The race of mankind drown'd, before the shrine 

Of Themis stood devout. To heav'n their prayers 

Flew up, nor miss'd the way, by envious winds 

Blown vagabond or frustrate : in they pass'd 

Dimensionless through heav'nly doors ; then clad 

With incense, where the golden altar fum'd, 

By their great intercessor, came in sight 

Before the Father's throne : them the glad Son 

Presenting, thus to intercede began : 

See, Father, what first fruits on earth are sprung 
From thy implanted grace in man, these sighs 
And pray'rs, which in this golden censer, mix'd 
With incense, I thy priest before thee bring, 



2S0 PARADISE LOST. [boOK XI 

Fruits of more pleasing savour from thy seed 

Sown with contrition in his heart, than those 

Which his own hand manuring all the trees 

Of Paradise could have produc'd, ere fall'n 

From innocence. Now therefore bend thine ear 

To supplication, hear his sighs though mute; 

Unskilful with what words to pray, let me 

Interpret for him, me his advocate 

And propitiation ; all his works on me 

Good or not good ingraft, my merit those 

Shall perfect, and for those my death shall pay, 

Accept me, and in me from these receive 

The smell of peace toward mankind; let him live 

Before ihee reconcil'd, at least his days 

Number'd, though sad, till death, his doom (which I 

To mitigate thus plead, not to reverse,) 

To better life shall yield him where with me 

All my redeem'd may dwell in joy and bliss, 

Made one with me as I with thee am one. 

To whom the Father, without cloud, serene : 
All thy request for man, accepted Son, 
Obtain ; all thy request v/as my decree : 
But longer in that Paradise to dwell, 
The law I gave to nature him forbids : 
Those pure immortal elements that know 
No gross, no unharmonious mixture foul, 
Eject him tainted now, and purge him oft' 
As a distemper, gross to air as gross, 
- And mortal food, as may dispose him best 
For dissolution wrought by sin, that first 
Distemper'd all things, and of incorrupt 
Corrupted. I at first v\^ith two fair gifts 
Created him, endow'd with happiness 
And immortality : that fondly lost, 
This other serv'd but to eternize wo ; 
Till I provided death ; so death becomes 
His final remedy, and after life 
Try'd in sharp tribulation, and refin'd 
By faith and faithful works, to second life, 
Wak'd in the renovation of the just, 



BOOK XI. I PARADISE LOST. 281 

Resigns him up with heav'n and earth renew'd. 

But let us call to synod all the blest 

Through heav'n 's wide bounds ; from them I will not 

hide 
My judgments, how with mankind I proceed, 
As how v/ith peccant angels late they saw. 
And in their state, though firm, stood more confirm'd. 

He ended, and the Son gave signal high 
To the bright minister that watch 'd ; he blew 
His trumpet, heard in Oreb since, perhaps 
When God descended, and perhaps once more 
To sound at general doom. Th' angelic blast 
Fill'd all the regions : from their blissful bowers 
Of amaranthine shade, fountain or spring, 
By the waters of life, where'er they sat 
In fellowships of joy, the sons of light 
Hasted, resorting to the summons high, 
And took their seats ; till from his throne supreme 
Th' Almighty thus pronounc'd his sov'reign will : 

O sons, like one of us man is become 
To know both good and evil, since his taste 
Of that defended fruit ; but let him boast 
His knowledge of good lost, and evil got, 
Happier, had it suffic'd him to have known 
Good by itself, and evil not at all. 
He sorrows now, repents, and prays contrite, 
My motions in him ; longer than they move, 
His heart I know, how variable and vain 
Self-left. Lest therefore his now bolder hand 
Reach also of the tree of life, and eat, 
And live for ever, dream at least to live 
For ever, to remove him I decree, 
And send him from the garden forth to till 
The ground whence he was taken, fitter soil. 

Michael, this my behest have thou in charge, 
Take to thee from among the cherubim 
Thy choice of flamrng warriors, lest the fiend, 
Or in behalf of man, or to invade 
Vacant possession, some new trouble raise : 
24* 



282 PARADISE LOST. [boOK XI. 

Haste thee, and from the Paradise of God 

Without remorse drive out the sinful pair 

From hallow'd ground th' unholy, and denounce 

To them and to their progeny from thence 

Perpetual banishment. Yet lest they faint 

At the sad sentence rigorously urg'd. 

For I behold them soften'd, and with tears 

Bewailing their excess, all terror hide. 

If patiently thy bidding they obey, 

Dismiss them not disconsolate ; reveal 

To Adam what shall come in future days, 

As I shall thee enlighten; intermix 

My covenant in the woman's seed renew'd;^ 

So send them forth, though sorrowing, yet in peace * 

And on the east side of the garden place. 

Where entrance up from Eden easiest climbs, 

Cherubic watch, and of a sword the flame 

Wide-waving, all approach far off to fright, 

And guard all passage to the tree of life : 

Lest Paradise a receptacle prove 

To spirits foal, and all my trees their prey. 

With whose stol'n fruit man once more to delude 

He ceas'd ; and th' archangelic pow'r prepar'd 
For swift descent, with him the cohort bright 
Of watchful cherubim : four faces each 
Had, like a double Janus, all their shape 
Spangled with eyes, more numerous than those 
Of Argus, and more wakeful than to drowse. 
Charm'd with Arcadian pipe, the past'ral reed 
Of Hermes, or his opiate rod. Meanr/hile 
To re-salute the world with sacred light 
Leucothea wak'd, and with fresh dews embalm 'd 
The earth, when Adam and first matron Eve 
Had ended now their orisons, and found 
Strength added from above, new hope to spring 
Out of despair, joy, but with fear yet link'd ; 
Which thus to Eve his welcome words renew'd : 

Eve, easily may faith admit, that all 
The good which we en lay, from heav'n descends ; 



BOOK XI.] PARADISE LOST. 283 

But that from us aught should ascend to heav'n 
So prevalent as to concern the mind 
Of God, high-blest, or to incline his will, 
Hard to belief may seem ; yet this will prayer, 
Or one short sigh of human breath, upborne 
Ev'n to the seat of God. For since I sought 
By pray'r th' offended Deity, t' appease, 
Kneel'd and before him humbled all my heart, 
Methought I saw him placable and mild. 
Bending his ear ; persuasion in me grew 
That I was heard with favour ; peace return'd 
Home to my breast, and to my memory 
His promise, that thy seed shall bruise our foe : 
Which then not minded in dismay, yet now 
Assures me that the bitterness of death 
Is past, and we shall live. Whence hail to thee. 
Eve rightly call'd mother of all mankind, 
Mother of all things living, since by thee 
Man is to live, and all things live for man. 

To whom thus Eve with sad demeanour meek : 
III worthy I such title should belong- 
To me transgressor, who for thee ordain 'd 
A help, became thy snare ; to me reproach 
Rather belongs, distrust and all dispraise: 
But infinite in pardon was my Judge, 
That I who first brought death on all, am grac'd 
The source of life ; next favourable thou, 
Who highly thus to entitle me vouchsaf'st, 
Far other namxC deserving. But the field 
To labour calls us now with sweat impos'd. 
Though after sleepless night ; for see the morn, 
All unconcerned with our unrest, begins 
Her rosy progress smiling ; let us forth, 
I never from thy side henceforth to stray, 
Where'er our day's work lies, though now enjoin'd 
Laborious, till day droop ; while here we dwell, 
What can be toilsome in these pleasant walks ? 
Here let us live, though in fall'n state, content. 



i 



284 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK XI. 

So spake, so wish'd much humbled Eve, but fa*« 
Subscrib'd not; Nature first gave signs, impress'd 
On bird, beast, air, air suddenly eclips'd 
After short blush of morn ; nigh in her sight 
The bird of Jove, stoop'd from his airy tour. 
Two birds of gayest plume before him drove : 
Down from a hill the beast that reigns in woods, 
First hunter then, pursu'd a gentle brace, 
Goodliest of all the forest, hart and hind ; 
Direct to th' eastern gate was bent their flight. 
Adam observ'd, and with his eye the chace 
Pursuing, not unmov'd to Eve thus spake : 

O Eve, some further change awaits us nigh, 
Which heav'n by these mute signs in nature shows, 
Forerunners of his purpose, or to warn 
Us haply too secure of our discharge 
From penalty, because from death releas'd 
Some days ; how long, and what till then our life, 
Who knows, or more than this, that we are dust, 
And thither must return and be no more ? 
Vfhy else this double object in our sight 
Of flight pursu'd in th' air, and o'er the ground, 
One way the self-same hour ? why in the east 
Darkness ere day's mid course, and morning light 
More orient in yon western cloud, that draws 
O'er the blue firmament a radiant white. 
And slow descends, with something heav'nly fraught * 

He err'd not, for by this the heav'nly bands 
Down from a sky of jasper lighted now 
In Paradise, and on a hill made halt, 
A glorious apparition, had not doubt 
And carnal fear that day dimm'd Adam's eye. 
Not that more glorious, when the angels met 
Jacob in Mahanaim, where he saw 
The field pavilion'd with his guardians bright » 
Nor that which on the flaming mount appear'd 
In Dothan, cover'd with a camp of fire. 
Against the Syrian king, who to surprise 
One man, assassin like, had levied war, 



BOOK XI.] PARADISE LOST. 285 

War vinproclaim'd. The princely hierach 
In their bright stand there left his pow'rs to seize 
Possession of the garden ; he alone, 
To find where Adam shelter 'd took his way, 
Not unperceiv'd of Adam, who to Eve, 
While the great visitant approach'd, thus spake : 
Eve, now expect great tidings, which perhaps 
Of us will soon determine, or impose 
New laws to be observ'd ; for I descry 
From yonder blazing cloud that veils the hills, 
One of the heav'nly host, and by his gait 
None of the meanest, some great potentate, 
Or of the thrones above, such majesty 
Invests him coming; yet not terrible, 
That I should fear, nor sociably mild, 
As Raphael, that I should much confide, 
But solemn and sublime, whom not t' offend, 
With reverence I must meet, and thou retire. 

He ended ; and th' archangel soon drew nigh, 
Not in his shape celestial, but as man 
Clad to meet man ; over his lucid arms 
A military vest of purple flow'd. 
Livelier than Melibcean, or the grain 
Of Sarra, worn by kings and heroes old. 
In time of truce ; Iris had dipt the woof; 
His starry helm unbuckled show'd him prime 
In manhood where youth ended ; by his side 
As in a glist'ring zodiac hung the sword, 
Satan's dire dread, and in his hand the spear. 
Adam bow'd low ; he kingly from his state 
Inclin'd not, but his coming thus declar'd : 

Adam, heav'n's high behest no preface noeda 
Suflicient that thy pray'rs are heard, and iJe.'iTf, 
Then due by sentence when thou didst transgre3S> 
Defeated of his seizure, many days 
Giv'n thee of grace, wherein thou mayst repent, 
And one bad act, with many deeds well done, 
Mayst cover : well may then thy Lord appeas'd. 
Redeem thee quite from Death's rapacious claim ; 



286 fARADlSE LOST. fflOOK XI. 

But longer in this Paradise to dwell 
Permits not ; to remove thee I am come, 
And send thee from the garden forth to till 
The ground whence thou wast taken, fitter soil. 

He added not, for Adam at the news 
Heart-struck with chilling gripe of sorrow stood, 
That all his senses bound; Eve, who unseen 
Yet all had heard, with audible lament 
Discovered soon the place of her retire. 

O unexpected stroke, worse than of Death ! 
Must I thus leave thee, Paradise ? thus leave 
Thee, native soil, these happy walks and shades, 
Fit haunt of gods ? where I had hope to spend, 
Quiet though sad, the respite of that day 
That must be mortal to us both. O flowers. 
That never will in other climate grow, 
My early visitation, and my last 
At even, which I bred up with tender hand 
From the first opening bud, and gave ye names, 
Who now shall rear ye to the sun, or rank 
Your tribes, and water from the ambrosial fount ? 
Thee lastly, nuptial bow'r, by me adorn'd 
With what to sight or smell was sweet, from thee 
How shall I part, and whither wander down 
Into a lower world, to this obscure 
And wild ? how shall we breathe in other air 
Less pure, accustom'd to immortal fruits ? 

Whom thus the angel interrupted mild : 
Lament not. Eve, but patiently resign 
What justly thou hast lost ; nor set thy heart, 
Thus over fond, on that which is not thine ; 
Thy going is not lonely ; with thee goes 
Thy husband ; him to follow thou art bound ; 
Where he abides, think there thy native soil. 

Adam by this, from the cold sudden danip 
Recovering, and his scatter'd spirits return'd, 
To Michael thus his humble words address'd: 
Celestial, whether among the thrones, or nam'd 
Of them the highest, for such of shape may seem 



BOOK XI. J PARiDISE LOST. 287 

Prince above princes, gently hast thou told 

Thy message, which might else in telling wound, 

And in performing end us ; what besides 

Of sorrow and dejection, and despair 

Our frailty can sustain, thy tidings bring, 

Departure from this happy place our sweet 

Recess, and only consolation left 

Familiar to our eyes, all places else 

Inhospitable appear, and desolate, 

For knowing us nor known : and if by prayer 

Incessant I could hope to change the will 

Of him who all things can, I would not cease 

To weary him with my assiduous cries : 

But pray'r against his absolute decree. 

No more avails than breath against the wind, 

Blown stifling back on him that breathes it forth : 

Therefore to his great bidding I submit. 

This most afflicts me, that departing hence, 

As from his face I shall be hid, depriv'd 

His blessed count'nance ; here I could frequent 

With worship place by place where he vouchsaf 'd 

Presence divine, and to my sons relate. 

On this mount he appear 'd, under this tree 

Stood visible, among these pines his voice 

I heard, here with him at this fountain talk'd ; 

So many grateful altars I would rear 

Of grassy turf, and pile up every stone 

Of lustre from the brook, in memory, 

Or monument to ages, and thereon 

Ofler sweet smelling gums and fruits and flowers ; 

In yonder nether world where shall I seek 

His bright appearances, or foot-step trace ? 

For though I fled him angry, yet recall'd 

To life prolong'd, and promis'd race, I now 

Gladly behold, though but his utmost skirts 

Of glory, and far off' his steps adore. 

To whom thus Michael with regard benign : 
Adam, thou know'st heav'n his, and all the earth, 
Not this rock only ; his omnipresence fills 



288 PAKADISE LOST. [bOOK XI. 

Land, sea, and air, and every kind that lives, 

Fomented by his virtual pow'r, and warm'd : 

All th' earth he gave thee to possess and rule, 

No despicable gift ; surmise not then 

His presence to these narrow bounds confin'd, 

Of Paradise or Eden ; this had been 

Perhaps thy capital seat, from whence had spread 

All generations, and had hither come 

From all the ends of th' earth, to celebrate 

And reverence thee their great progenitor. 

But this pre-eminence thou hast lost, brought down 

To dwell on even ground now with thy sons : 

Yet doubt not but in valley and in plain 

God is as here, and will be found alike 

Present, and of his presence many a sign 

Still following thee, still compassing thee round 

With goodness and paternal love, his face 

Express, and of his steps the track divine. 

Which that thou mayst believe, and be conflrm'd 

^re thou from hence depart, know I am sent 

To show thee what shall come in future days 

To thee and to thy offspring; good with bad 

Expect to hear, supernal grace contending 

With sinfulness of men ; thereby to learn 

True patience, and to temper joy with fear 

And pious sorrow, equally inur'd 

By moderation either state to bear, 

Prosperous or adverse ; so shalt thou lead 

Safest thy life, and best prepar'd endure 

Thy mortal passage when it comes Ascend 

This hill ; let Eve (for I have drench'd her eyes) 

Here sleep below, while thou to foresight wak'st ; 

As once thou slept'st, while she to life was form*d. 

To whom thus Adam gratefully reply'd : 
Ascend, I follow thee, safe guide, the path 
Thou lead'st me, and to the hand of heav'n submit, 
However chast'ning, to the evil turn 
My obvious breast, arming to overcome 
By suffering, and earn rest from labour won, 



BOOK XI.J PARADISE LOST. 289 

If SO I may attain. So both ascend 

In the visions of God : it was a hill 

Of Paradise the highest, from whose top 

The hemisphere of earth in clearest ken 

Stretch'd out to th' amplest reach of prospect lay. 

Not higher that hill nor wider looking round, 

Whereon for different cause the tempter set 

Our second Adam in the wilderness, 

To show him all earth's kingdoms and their glory. 

His eye might there command wherever stood 

City of old or modern fame, the seat 

Of mightiest empire, from the destin'd walls 

Of Cambalu, seat of Cathaian Can, 

And Samarchand by Oxus, Temir's throne, 

To Paquin of Sinsean kings, and thence 

To Agra and Labor of great Mogul 

Down to the golden Chersonese, or where 

The Persian in Ecbatan sat, or since 

In Hispahan, or where the Russian czar 

In Moscow, or the sultan in Bizance, 

Turchestan-born ; nor could his eye not ken 

Th' empire of Negus to his utmost port 

Ercocco, and the less maratime kings, 

Mombaza, and Quiloa, and Melind, 

And Sofala, thought Ophir, to the realm 

Of Congo, and Angola farthest south ; 

Or thence from Niger flood to Atlas mount, 

The kingdoms of Almansor, Fez and Sus, 

Morocco and Algiers, and Tremisen ; 

On Europe thence, and where Rome was to sway 

The world ; in spirit perhaps he also saw 

Rich Mexico, the seat of Montezuma, 

And Cusco in Peru, the richer seat 

Of Atabalipa, and yet unspoil'd 

Guiana, whose great city Gerj'-on's sons 

Call El Dorado : but to nobler sights 

Michael from Adam's eyes the film remov'd, 

Which that false fruit, that promis'd clearer sight, 

Had bred ; then purg'd with euphrasy and ru§ 



SSiOf fARADISE LOST, [bOOK XI. 

The visual nerve, for he had much to see ; 
And from the well of life three drops instill'd. 
So deep the pow'r of these ingredients pierc'd, 
Ev'n to the inmost seat of mental sight, 
That Adam now enforc'd to close his eyes, 
Sunk down, and all his spirits became entranc'd ; 
But him the gentle angel by the hand 
Soon rais'd, and his attention thus recall'd: 

Adam, now ope thine eyes, and first behold 
Th' effects which thy original crime hath wrought 
In some to spring from thee, who never touch'd 
Th' excepted tree, nor with the snake conspir'd, 
Nor sinn'd thy sin, yet from that sin derive 
Corruption to bring forth more violent deeds. 

His eyes he open'd, and beheld a field, 
Part arable and tilth, whereon were sheaves 
New reap'd, the other part sheep-walks and folds , 
r th' midst an altar as the land-mark stood, 
Rustic, of grassy sord ; thither anon 
A sweaty reaper from his tillage brought 
First fruits, the green ear, and the yellow sheaf 
Uncull'd as came to hand ; a shepherd next 
More meek came with the firstlings of his flock 
Choicest and best ; then sacrificing, laid 
The inwards and their fat, with incense strow'd, 
On the cleft wood, and all due rites perform'd. 
His offering soon propitious fire from heav'n 
Consum'd with nimble glance, and grateful stream ; 
The other's not, for his was not sincere ; 
"Whereat he inly rag'd, and as they talk'd, 
Smote him ipto the midrift with a stone 
That beat out life ; he fell, and deadly pale 
Groan'd out his soul with gushing blood efTus'd. 
Much at that sight was Adam in his heart 
Dismay'd, and thus in haste to th' angel cry'd : 

teacher, some great mischief hath befall'n 
To that meek man, who well had sacrific'd : 
Is piety thus and pure devotion paid? 



BOOK XI.] PARADISE LOST. 291 

T' whom Michael thus, he also mov^d reply 'd: 
These two are brethren, Adam, and to come 
Out of thy loins ; th' unjust the just hath slain, 
For envy that his brother's offering found 
From heav'n, acceptance ; but the bloody fact 
Will be aveng'd, and the other's faith approv'd 
Lose no rewards; though here thou see him die, 
Kolling in dust and gore. To which our sire : 

Alas ! both for the deed, and for the cause ! 
But have I now seen Death ? Is this the way 
I must return to native dust ? O sight 
Of terror, foul and ugly to behoH, 
Horrid to think, how horrible to feel ! 

To whom thus Michael : Death thou hast seen 
In his first shape on man ; but many shapes 
Of Death, and many are the ways that lead 
To his grim cave, all dismal ; yet to sense 
More terrible at th' entrance than ivithin. 
Some as thou saw'st, by violent stroke shall die, 
By fire, flood, famine ; by intemp'rance more 
In meats and drinks, which on the earth shall bring 
Diseases dire, of which a monstrous crew 
Before thee shall appear ; that thou mayst know 
What misery th' inabstinence of Eve 
Shall bring on men. Immediately a place 
Before his eyes appear'd, sad, noisome, dark, 
A lazar-house it seem'd, wherein were laid 
Numbers of all diseas'd, all maladies, 
Of ghastly spasm, or racking torture, qualms, 
Of heart-sick agony, all feverous kinds, 
Convulsions, epilepsies, fierce catarrhs, 
Intestine stone and ulcer, colick-pangs, 
Demoniac phrenzy, moping melancholy. 
And moon-struck madness, pining atrophy, 
Marasmus, and wide-wasting pestilence, 
Dropsies, and asthmas, and joint-racking rhuems. 
Dire was the tossing, deep the groans ; Despair 
Tended the sick, busiest from couch to couch; 
And over them triumphant Death his dart 



292 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK XI. 

Shook, but delay'd to strike, though oft invok'd 
With vows, as their chief good, and final hope. 
Sight so deform what heart of rock could long 
Dry-ey'd behold ? Adam could not, but wept, 
Though not of woman born : compassion quelPd 
His best of man, and gave him up to tears 
A space, till firmer thoughts restrain'd excess ; 
And scarce recovering words his plaint renew'd : 

miserable mankind, to what fall 
Degraded, to what wretched state reserv'd? 
Better end here unborn. Why is life given 
To be thus wrested from us ? rather why 
Obtruded on us thus ? who if we knew 
What we receive, would either not accept 
Life offer'd, or soon beg to lay it down, 
Glad to be so dismiss'd in peace. Can thus 
Th' image of God in man created once 

So goodly and erect, though faulty since, 

To such unsightly sufferings be debas'd 

tinder inhuman pains ? Why should not maUi 

Retaining still divine similitude 

In part, from such deformities be free, 

And for his Maker's image sake exempt ? 

Their Maker's image, answer'd Michael, then 
Forsook them, when themselves they vilify'd 
To serve ungovern'd appetite, and took 
His image whom they serv'd, a brutish vice, 
Inductive mainly to the sin of Eve. 
Therefore so abject is their punishment. 
Disfiguring not God's likeness, but their own, 
Or if his likeness, by themselves defac'd. 
While they pervert pure nature's healthful rules 
To loathsome sickness, worthily, since they 
God's image did not reverence in themselves. 

1 yield it just, said Adam, and submit. 
But is there yet no other way, besides 
These painful passages how we may come 
To death, and mix with our connatural dust ? 



eOOKXl] PJLRADISE LOST. 293 

There is, said Michael, if thou well observe 
The rule of not too much, by temp 'ranee taught, 
In what thou eat'st and drink'st, seeking from thence 
Due nourishment, not gluttonous delight, 
Till many years over thy head return : 
So may'st thou live, till like ripe fruit thou drop 
Into thy mother's lap, or be with ease 
Gather'd, not harshly pluck'd, for death mature : 
This is old age : but then thou must -outlive 
Thy youth, thy strength, thy beauty, whieh wiH 

change 
To wither'd, weak and grey : thy senses then 
Obtuse, all taste of pleasure must forego, 
To what thou hast ; and for the air of youth, 
Hopeful and cheerful, in thy blood will reign 
A melancholy damp of cold aTid dry 
To weigh thy spirits down, and last consume 
The balm of life. To whom our ancestor : 

Henceforth I fly not death, nor would prolong 
Life much, bent rather how I may be quit 
Fairest and easiest of this cumbrous charge, 
Which I must keep till my appointed day 
Of rend'ring up, and patiently attend 
My dissolution. Michael reply'd : 
Nor love thy life, nor hate ; but what thou iiv'st 
Live well, how long or short permit to heav'n : 
And now prepare thee for another sight. 

He look'd, and saw a spacious plain, whereon 
Were tents of various hue ; by some were herds 
Of cattle grazing : others, whence the sound 
Of instruments that made melodious chime 
Was heard, of harp and organ ; and who mov'd 
Their stops and chords was seen ; his volant touch 
Instinct through all proportions low and high, 
Fled and pursu'd transverse the resonant fugue. 
In other part stood one who at the forge 
Lab'ring two massy clods of iron and brass 
Had melted, (whether found where casual fire 
Had wasted woods on mountain, or in vale, 



294 PARADISE LOST. [boOK XL 

Down to tlie veins of enrth, thence gliding hot 

To some en vo's mouth, or whether wash'd hy stream 

From un lev ground,) t lie liquid ore he drain'd 

Into fit iijoulds preparM ; from which he form'd 

First lii« own tools; tljen, what might else be wrough 

Fusil Of grav'n in melal. After these, 

But on the hither sido, a different sort 

From the high neighb'ring hills, which was their seat, 

Down to the plain descending : by their guise 

Just men they seem'd, and all their study bent 

To worship God aright, and know his works 

Not hid, nor those things last which might preserve 

Freedom and peace to men ; they on the plain 

Long had not walk'd, when from the tents behold 

A bevy of fair women, richly gay 

In gems and wanton dress ; to th' harp they sung 

Soft amorous ditties, and in diance came on ; 

The men though grave, ey'd them, and let their eyes 

Eove without rein, till in the amorous net 

Fast caught, they lik'd, and each his liking chose ; 

And now of love they treat, till th' evning star, 

Love's harbinger, appear'd ; then all in heat 

They light the nuptial torch, and bid invoke 

Hymen, then first to marriage rites invok'di 

With feast and music all the tents resound. 

Such happy interview and fair event 

Of love and youth not lost, songs, garlands, flow'irs, 

And charming symphonies attach'd the heart, 

Of Adam, soon inclin'd t' admit delight. 

The bent of nature ; which he thus express'd : 

True opener of mine eyes, prime angel blest, 
Much better seems this vision, and more hope 
Of peaceful days portends, than those two past ; 
Those were of hate and death, or pain much worse, 
Here nature seems fulfill'd in all her ends. 

To whom thus Michael : Judge not what is best 
By pleasure, though to nature seeming meet, 
Created, as thou art, to nobler end 
Holy and pure, conformity divine* 



BOOK XI.] PARADISE LOST. 295 

Those tents thou saw'st so pleasant, were the tents 

Of wickedness, wherein shall dwell his race 

Who slew his brother ; studious they appear 

Of arts that polish life, inventors rare, 

Unmindful of their Maker, though his spirit 

Taught them, but they his gifts acknowledg'd none ; 

Yet they a beauteous offspring shall beget ; 

For that fair female troop thou saws't, that seem'd 

Of goddesses, so blithe, so smooth, so gay, 

Yet empty of all good wherein consists 

Woman's domestic honour and chief praise ; 

Bred only and completed to the taste 

Of lustful appetence, to sing, to dance. 

To dress, and troll the tongue, and roll the eye. 

To these that sober race of men, whose lives 

Religious titled them the sons of God, 

Shall yield up all their virtue, all their fame 

Ignobly, to the trains and" to the smiles 

Of these fair atheists, and now swim in joy, 

Ere long to swim at large ; and laugh, for which 

The world ere long a world of tears must weep. 

To whom thus Adam of short joy bereft : 
O pity and shame, that they who to live well 
Enter'd so fair should turn aside to tread, 
Paths indirect, or in the mid way faint ! 
But still I see the tenor of man's wo 
Holds on the same, from woman to begin. 

From man's effeminate slackness it begins, 
Said the angel, who should better hold his place 
By wisdom, and superior gifts receiv'd. 
But now prepare thee for another scene. 

He look'd, and saw wide territory spread 
Before him, towns, and rural works between, 
Cities of men with lofty gates and tow'rs, 
Concourse in arms, fierce faces threat'ning war, 
Giants of mighty bone, and bold emprise ; 
Part weild their arms, part curb the foaming steeiii 
Single, or in array of battle rang'd 
Both horse and foot, nor idly must'ring stoo-il 



296 PARADISE LOST. [boOK XI 

One way a band select from forage drives 

A herd of beeves, fair oxen and fair kine 

From a fat meadow ground ; or fleecy flock, 

Ewes and their bleating lambs over the plain, 

Their booty ; scarce with life the shepherds fly, 

But call in aid, which makes a bloody fray : 

With cruel tournament the squadrons join ; 

Where cattle pastur'd late, now scatter'd lies 

With carcasses and arms th' ensanguin'd field 

Deserted : others to a city strong 

Lay siege, encamp'd ; by battery, scale, and mine, 

Assaulting ; others from the wall defend 

With dart and javelin, stones and sulphurous fire; 

On each hand slaughter and gigantic deeds. 

In other part the sceptred heralds call 

To council in the city gates : anon 

Grey-headed men and grave, with warriors mix'd, 

Assemble, and harangues are heard, but soon 

In factious opposition, till at last 

Of middle age one rising, eminent 

In wise deport, spake much of right and wrong, 

Of justice, of religion, truth and peace. 

And judgment from above : him old and young 

Exploded and had seiz'd with violent hands, 

Had not a cloud descending snatch'd him thence 

Unseen amid the throng : so violence 

Proceeded, and oppression, and sword-law 

Through all the plain, and refuge none was found. 

Adam was all in tears, and to his guide 

Lamenting turn'd full sad : what are these, 

Death's ministers, not men, who thus deal death 

Inhumanly to men, and multiply 

Ten thousand fold the sin of him who slew 

His brother ; for of whom such massacre 

Make they but of their brethren, men of men ? 

But who was that just man, whom had not heav*n 

Rescued, had in his righteousness been lost? 

To whom thus Michael ; These are the product 
Of those ill-mated marriages thou saw'stj 



BOOK XI.] PARADISE LOST. 297 

Where good with bad were match'd, who of them- 
selves 
Abhor to join ; and by imprudence mix'd, 
Produce prodigious births of body or mind. 
Such were these giants, men of high renown ; 
For in those days might only shall be admir'd, 
And valour and heroic virtue call'd; 
To overcome in battle, and subdue 
Nations, and bring home spoils with infinite 
Man-slaughter, shall be held the highest pitch 
Of human glory, and for glory done 
Of triumph, to be stil'd great conquerors, 
Patrons of mankind, gods, and sons of gods, 
Destroyers rightlier call'd and plagues of men. 
Thus fame shall be achiev'd, renown on earth, 
And what most merits fame in silence hid. 
But he the sev'nth from thee, whom thou beheldst 
The only righteous in a world perverse, 
And therefore hated, therefore so beset 
"With foes for daring single to be just, 
And utter odious truth, that God would come 
To judge them with his saints : him the most 
Rapt in a balmy cloud with winged steeds 
Did, as thou saw'st, receive, to walk with God 
High in salvation and the climes of bliss, 
Exempt from death ; to show thee what reward 
Awaits the good, the rest what punishment ; 
Which now direct thine eyes and soon behold. 

He look'd, and saw the face of things quite changed ; 
The brazen throat of war had ceas'd to roar ; 
All now was turn'd to jollity and game, 
To luxury and riot, feast and dance, 
Marrying or prostituting, as befel, 
Rape or adultry, where passing fair 
Allur'd them ; thence from cups to civil broils. 
At length a reverend sire among them came, 
And of their doings great dislike declar'd, 
And testify'd against their ways ; he oft 
Frequented their assemblies, whereso met, 



298 PARADISE LOST. [bOOZ XI 

Triumphs or festivals, and to tliem preach'd 

Conversion and repentance, as to souls 

In prison under judgments imminent : 

But all in vain : which when he saw, he ceas'd 

Contending, and remov'd his tents far off; 

Then from the mountain hewing timber tall, 

Began to build a vessel of huge bulk, 

Measur'd by cubit, length, and breadth, and height, 

Smear'd round with pitch, and in the side a door 

Contriv'd, and of provisions laid in, large 

For man and beast : when lo a wonder strange ! 

Of every beast, and bird, and insect small 

Came sev'ns, and pairs, and enter'd in, as taught 

Their order : last the sire, and his three sons 

With their four wives ; and God made fast the do^r. 

Meanwhile the south wind rose, and with black wi gs 

Wide hovering, all the clouds together drove 

From under heav'n ; the hills to their supply 

Vapour, and exhalation dusk and moist. 

Sent up amain ; and now the thicken'd sky 

Like a dark ceiling stood ; down rush'd the rain 

Impetuous, and continued till the earth 

No more was seen ; the floating vessel swum 

Uplifted, and secure with beaked prow 

Rode tilting o'er the waves ; all dwellings else 

Flood overwhelm'd, and them with all their pomp 

Deep under water roll'd ; sea cover'd sea, 

Sea without shore ; and in their palaces 

Where luxury late reign'd, sea monsters whelp'd 

And stabled ; of mankind, so numerous late, 

All left, in one small bottom swum embark'd. 

How didst thou grieve then, Adam, to behold 

The end of all thy offspring, and so sad 

Depopulation ! thee another flood, 

Of tears and sorrow a flood thee also drown'd, 

And sunk thee as thy sons ; till gently rear'd 

By th' angel, on thy feet thou stood'st at last, 

Though comfortless, as when a father mourns 



BOOK XI.] PAEADISE LOST. 299 

His children, all in view destroy d at once : 
And scarce to th' angel utter'dst thus thy plaint : 

O visions ill foreseen ! better had I 
Liv'd ignorant of future, so had borne 
My part of evil only, each day's lot 
Enough to bear ; those now, that were dispens'd 
The burden of many ages, on me light 
At >nce, by my foreknowledge gaining birth 
Abortive, to torment me ere their being, 
With thought that they must be. Let no man seek 
Henceforth to be foretold what shall befal 
Him or his children ; evil he may be sure, 
Which neither his foreknowing can prevent, 
And he the future evil shall no less 
In apprehension than in substance feel 
Grievous to bear : but that care now is past, 
Man is not whom to warn : those few escap'd 
Famine and anguish will at last consume 
Wand'ring that wat'ry desert : I had hope 
When violence was ceas'd, and war on earth. 
All would have then gone well, peace would have 

crown'd 
With length of happy days the race of man ; 
But I was far deceiv'd ; for now I see 
Peace to corrupt no less than war to waste. 
How comes it thus ? unfold, celestial guide, 
And whether here the race of man will end. 

To whom thus Michael : Those whom last *liou 
saw'st 
In triumph and luxurious wealth, are they 
First seen in acts of prowess eminent 
A.nd great exploits, but of true virtue void ,* 
Who having spilt much blood, and done much waste 
Subduing nations, and achieved thereby 
Fame in the world, high titles, and rich prey. 
Shall change their course to pleasure, ease, and sloth. 
Surfeit, and lust, till wantonness and pride 
Raise out of friendship hostile deeds in peace. 
The conquered also, and enslav'd by war 



300 PARADISE LOST. [BOOK XX. 

Shall with their freedom lost, all virtue lose 

And fear of God, from whom their piety feign'd 

In sharp contest of hattle found no aid 

Against invaders ; therefore cool'd in zeal, 

Thenceforth shall practise how to live secure, 

Worldly or dissolute, on what their lords 

Shall leave them to enjoy ; for th' earth shall bear 

More than enough, that temp'rance may he try'd ; 

So all shall turn degenerate, all deprav'd, 

Justice and temp'rance, truth and faith forgot ; 

One man except, the only son of light 

In a dark age, against example good, 

Against allurement, custom, and a world 

Offended; fearless of reproach and scorn, 

Or violence, he of their wicked ways 

Shall them admonish, and before them set 

The paths of righteousness, how much more a\fe, 

And full of peace, denouncing wrath to come 

On their impenitence ; and shall return 

Of them derided, but of God observ'd 

The one just man alive ; by his command 

Shall build a wond'rous ark, as thou beheld'sl 

To save himself and household from amidst 

A world devote to universal wrack 

No sooner he with them of man and beast 

Select for life shall in the ark be lodg'd, 

And sheltex'd round, but all the cataracts 

Of heav'n set open, on the earth shall pour 

Rain day and night ; all fountains of the deep 

Broke up, shall heave the ocean to usurp 

Beyond all bounds, till mundations rise 

Above the highest hills : then shall this mount 

Of Paradise by might of waves be mov'd 

Out of his place, push'd by the horned flood, 

With all his verdure spoil'd, and trees adrift, 

Down the great river to the opening gulf, 

And there take root an island salt and bare. 

The haunt of seals, and ores, and sea-mews elang : 

To teach thee that God attriljutes to place 



BOOK XI.] PARADISE LOST. 301 

No sanctity, if none be thither brought 

By men who there frequent, or therein dwell. 

And now what further shall ensue, behold ! 

He look'd, and saw the ark hull on the flood, 
Which now abated ; for the clouds were fled, 
Driv'n by a keen north wind, that blowing dry 
Wrinkled the face of deluge, as decay'd ; 
And the clear sun on his wide wat'ry glass 
Gaz'd hot, and of the fresh wave largely drew 
As after thirst, which made their flowing shrink 
From standing lake to tripping ebb, that stole 
With soft foot towards the deep, who now had stopt 
His sluices, as the heav'n his windows shut. 
The ark no more now floats, but seems on ground 
Fast on the top of some high mountain fix'd. 
And now the tops of hills as rocks appear : 
Wifh clamour thence the rapid currents drive 
Towards the retreating sea their furious tide. 
Forthwith from out the ark a raven flies, 
And after him, the surer messenger, 
A dove sent forth once and again to spy 
Green tree or ground whereon his foot may light ■ 
The second time returning, in his bill 
An olive leaf he brings, pacific sign : 
Anon dry ground appears, and from his ark 
The ancient sire descends with all his train ; 
Then with uplifted hands, and eyes devout, 
Grateful to heav'n, over his head beholds 
A dewy cloud, and in the cloud a bow 
Conspicuous with three listed colours gay, 
Betokening peace from God, and covenant new. 
Whereat the heart of Adam erst so sad 
Greatly rejoic'd, and thus his joy broke forth : 

O thou who future things canst represent 
As present, heav'nly instructor, I revive 
At this last sight, assur'd that man shall live 
With all the creatures, and their seed preserve. 
Far less I now lament for one whole world 
Of wicked sons destroy'd, than I rejoice 
26 



302 PARADISE LOST. [BOGK XT. 

For one man found so peri'ect and so just, 

That God vouchsafes to raise another world 

From him, and all his anger to forget. 

But say, what mean those colour'd streaks in heav'n 

Distended as the brow of God appeas'd ? 

Or serve they as a flow'ry verge to bind 

The fluid skirts of that same wat'ry cloud,. 

Lest it again dissolve and show'r the earth? 

T' whom th' archangel : Dext'rously thou aim'st, 
So willingly doth God remit his ire, 
Though late repenting him of man deprav'd 
Griev'd at his heart, when looking down he saw 
The whole earth fill'd with violence, and all flesh 
Corrupting each their way ; yet those remov'd, 
Such grace shall one just man find in his sight, 
That he relents, not to blot out mankind, 
And makes a covenant never to destroy 
The earth again by flood, nor let the sea 
Surpass his bounds, nor rain to drown the world 
With man therein, or beast ; but when he brings 
Over the earth a cloud, will therein set 
His triple-colour'd bow, whereon to look 
And call to mind his covenant ; day and night, 
Seed-time and harvest, heat and hoary frost 
Shall hold their course, till fire purge all things new. 
Both heav'n and earth, wherein the just shall dwelL 



END OF THE ELEVENTH BOOK 



THE 

TWELFTH BOOK 

OF 

PARADISE LOST, 



THE ARGUMENT. 



The angel Michael continues from the flood to relate what shall 
succeed ; then, in the mention of Abraham, comes by degrees to 
explain, who that seed of the woman shall be, which was prom- 
ised Adam and Eve in the fall; his incarnation, death, resurrec- 
tion and ascension ; the state of the church till his second com- 
ing. Adam greatly satisfied and recomforted by these relations 
and promises, descends the hill with Michael ; wakens Eve, who 
all this while had slept, but with gentle dreams composed to 
quietness of mind, and submission. Michael in either hand leads 
them out of Paradise, the fiery sword waving behind them, and 
the cherubim, taking their stations to guard the place. 



PARADISE LOST. 



BOOK XII. 



As one who in his journey bates at noon, 
Though bent on speed ; so here the archangel paus'd 
Betwixt the world destroy 'd, and world restor'd, 
If Adam aught perhaps might interpose ; 
Then with transition sweet new speech resumes 
Thus thou hast seen one world begin and end 
And man as fram a second stock proceed. 
Much thou hast yet to see, but I perceive 
Thy mortal sight to fail; objects divine 
Must needs impair, and weary human sense : 
Henceforth what is to com-e I will relate, 
Thou therefore give due audience, and attend. 
This second source of men, while yet but few, 
And while the dread of judgment past remains 
Fresh in their minds, fearing the Deity, 
With some regard to what is just and right 
Shall lead their lives, and multiply apace, 
Lab'ring the soil, and reaping plenteous crop, 
Corn, wine and oil ; and from the herd or flock, 
Oft sacrificing bullock, lamb, or kid, 
With large wine-offerings pour'd and sacred feast, 
Shall spend their days in joy unblam'd, and dwell 
Long time in peace, by families and tribes 
Under paternal rule : till one shall rise 
Of proud ambitious heart, who not content 
26* 



306 PARADISE LOST. [BOOK XH. 

With fair equality, fraternal state, 
Will arrogate dominion undeserv'd 
Over his brethren, and quite dispossess 
Concord and law of nature from the earth, 
Hunting (and men, not beasts, shall be his game,) 
With war and hostile snare such as refuse 
Subjection to his empire tyrannous : 
A mighty hunter thence he shall be styl'd 
Before the Lord, as in despite of heav'n. 
Or from heav'n claiming second sov'reignty; 
And from rebellion shall derive his name, 
Though of rebellion others he accuse. 
He v^rith a crew, whom like ambition joins 
With him or under him to tyrannize, 
Marching from Eden towards the west, shall find 
The plain, wherein a black bituminous gurge 
Boils out from under ground, the mouth of hell : 
Of brick, and of that stuff they cast to build 
A city and tow'r, whose top may reach to heav*n ; 
And get themselves a name, lest far dispers'd 
In foreign lands their memory be lost, 
Kegardless whether good or evil fame. 
But God who oft descends to visit men 
Unseen, and through their habitations walks 
To mark their doings, them beholding soon. 
Comes down to see their city, ere the tower 
Obstruct heav'n-tow'rs, and in derision sets 
Upon their tongues a various spirit to raze 
Quite out their native language, and instead 
To sow a jangling noise of words unknown : 
Forthwith a hideous gabble rises loud 
Among the builders ; each to other calls 
Not unders ood, till hoarse, and all in rage. 
As mock'd they storm ; great laughter was in heav'n 
And looking down to see the hubbub strange. 
And hear the din ; thus was the building left 
Ridiculous, and the work Confusion nam'd. 
Whereto thus Adam fatherly displeas'd : 
O execrable son so to aspire 



ttdbk xn.] PARADISE lost. 307 

Above his brethren, to himself asstiming 
Authority usurp'd, from God not given : 
He gave us only over beast, fish, fowl, 
Dominion absolute, that right we hold 
By his donation ; but man over men 
He made not lord ; such title to himself 
Reserving, human left from human free. 
But this usurper his encroachment proud 
Stays not on man ; to God his tow'r intends 
Siege and defiance : wretched man ! what food 
Will he convey up thither to sustain 
Himself and his rash army, where thin air 
Above the clouds will pine his entrails gross, 
And famish him of breath, if not of bread ? 

To whom thus Michael : Justly thou abhorr'st 
That son, who on the quiet state of men 
Such trouble brought, affecting to subdue 
Rational liberty ; yet know withal. 
Since thy original lapse, true liberty 
Is lost, which always with right reason dwells 
Twinn'd, and from her hath no dividual being : 
Reason in man obscur'd, or not obey'd, 
Immediately inordinate desires 
And upstart passions catch the goverment 
From reason, and to servitude reduce 
Man till then free. Therefore since he permits 
Within himself unworthy pow'rs to reign 
Over free reason, God in judgment just 
Subjects him from without to violent lords; 
Who oft as undeservedly inthral 
His outward freedom ; tyranny must be, 
Though to the tjnrant thereby no excuse. 
Yet sometimes nations will decline so low 
From virtue, which is reason, that no wrong, 
But justice, and some fatal curse annex'd 
Deprives them of their outward liberty. 
Their inward lost ; witness th' irreverent son 
Of him who built the ark, who for the sham© 
Done to his father heard this heavy curse. 



308 PARADISE LOST. [bOOKXH. 

Servant of servants ^ on his vicious race. 

Thus will this latter, as the former world, 

Still tend from bad to worse, till God at last 

Wearied with their iniquities, withdraw 

His presence from among them, and avert 

His holy eyes : resolving from thenceforth 

To leave them to their own polluted ways ; 

And one peculiar nation to select 

From all the rest, of whom to be invoked, 

A nation from one faithful man to spring ; 

Him on this side Euphrates yet residing, 

Bred up in idol worship ; O that men 

(Canst thou believe ?) should be so stupid grown, 

While yet the patriarch liv'd, who 'scap'd the flood. 

As to forsake the living God, and fall 

To worship their own work in wood and stone 

For gods ! yet him God the most high vouchsafes 

To call by vision from his father's house. 

His kindred and false gods, into a land 

Which he will show him, and from him will raise 

A mighty nation, and upon him shower 

His benediction so, that in his seed 

All nations shall be blest ; he straight obeys, 

Not knowing to what land, yet firm believes : 

I see him, but thou canst not, with what faith 

He leaves his gods, his friends, and native soil 

Ur of Chaldea, passing now the ford 

To Haran, after him a cumberous train 

Of herds and flocks, and numerous servitude ; 

Not wand'ring poor, but trusting all his wealth 

With God, who call'd him, in a land unknown. 

Canaan he now attains ; I see his tents 

Pitch'd about Sechem, and the neighb'ring plain 

Of Moreh ; there by promise he receives 

Gift to his progeny of all that land, 

From Hamath northward to the desert south, 

(Things by their names I call, though yet unnam'd.) 

From Hermon east to the great western sea ; 

Mount Hermon, yonder sea, each place behold 



BOOK XII.] PARADISE LOST. 309 

Tn prospect, as I point them : on the shore 

Mount Carmel ; here the double-founted stream 

Jordan, true limit eastward; but his sons 

Shall dwell to Senir, that long ridge of hills. 

This ponder, that all nations of the earth 

Shall in his seed be blessed ; by that seed 

Is meant thy great Deliverer, who shall bruise 

The serpent's head ; whereof to thee anon 

Plainlier shall be reveard. This patriarch blest 

Whom faithful Abraham due time shall call, 

A son, and of his son a granchild leaves, 

Like him in faith, in wisdom, and renown ; 

The granchild with twelve sons increas'd departs 

From Canaan, to a land hereafter call'd 

Egypt, divided by the river Nile ; 

See where it flows, disgorging at sev'n mouths 

Into the sea : to sojourn in that land 

He comes invited by a younger son 

In time of dearth, a son whose worthy deeds 

Raise him to be the second in that realm 

Of Pharaoh : there he dies, and leaves his race 

Growing into a nation, and now grown 

Suspected to a sequent king, who seeks 

To stop their overgrowth, as inmate guests 

Too numerous ; whence of guests he makes them slaves 

Inhospitably, and kills their infant males : 

Till by two brethren (those two brethren call 

Moses and Aaron,) sent them from God to claim 

His people from enthralment, they return 

With glory and spoil back to their promis'd land. 

But first the lawless tyrant, who denies 

To know their God, or message to regard, 

Must be compell'd by signs and judgments dire : 

To blood unshed the rivers must be turn'd ; 

Frogs, lice, and flies, must all his palace fill 

With loath'd intrusion, and fill all the land ; 

His cattle must of rot and murrain die ; 

Botches and blains must all his fl«sh emboss. 

And all his people ; thunder mix'd with hail, 



310 PARADISE LOST. [boOK XH. 

Hail mix'd with fire, must rend th' Egyptian sky, 

And wheel on th' earth, devouring where it rolls ; 

What it devours not, herb, or fruit, or grain, 

A darksome cloud of locusts swarming down 

Must eat, and on the ground leave nothing green ; 

Darkness must overshadow all his bounds, 

Palpable darkness, and blot out three days : 

Last with one midnight stroke all the first-born 

Of Egypt must lie dead. Thus with ten wounds 

The river-dragon tam'd at length submits 

To let his sojourners depart, and oft * 

Humbles his stubborn heart, but still as ice 

More harden'd after thaw, till in his rage 

Pursuing whom he late dismiss'd, the sea 

Swallows him with his host, but them lets pass 

As on dry land, between two crystal walls, 

Aw'd by the rod of Moses so to stand 

Divided, till his rescu'd gain their shore : 

Such wondrous pow'r God to his saint will lend, 

Though present in his angel, who shall go 

Before them in a cloud, and pillar of fire. 

By day a cloud, by night a pillar of fire, 

To guide them in their journey, and remove 

Behind them, while th' obdurate king pursues : 

All night he will pursue, but his approach 

Darkness defends between till morning watch : 

Then through the fiery pillar and the cloud, 

God looking forth will trouble all his host, 

And craze their chariot wheels : when by command 

Moses once more his potent rod extends 

Over the sea ; the sea his rod obeys ; 

On their embattled ranks the waves return. 

And overwhelm their war : the race elect 

Safe towards Canaan from the shore advance 

Through the wild desert, not the readiest way. 

Lest ent'ring on the Canaanite alarm'd 

War terrify them inexpert, and fear 

Return them back to Egypt, choosing rather 

Inglorious life with servitude ; for life 



JkOOK X1I»] PARADISE LOST* 311 

To noble and ignoble is more sweet 

tJntrain'd in arms, where rashness leads not on. 

This also shall they gain by their delay 

In the wide wilderness ; there they shall found 

Their government, and their great senate choose 

Through the twelve tribes to rule by laws ordain'd • 

God from the mount of Sinai, whose grey top 

Shall tremble, he descending, will himself 

In thunder, lightning, and loud trumpet's sound, 

Ordain them laws ; part such as appertain 

To civil justice, part religious rites 

Of sacrifice, informing them by types 

And shadows, of that destin'd seed to bruise 

The serpent, by what means he shall acheive 

Mankind's deliverance. But the voice of God 

To mortal ear is dreadful ; they beseech 

That Moses might report to them his will. 

And terror cease ; he grants what they besought, 

Instructed that to God is no access 

Without mediator, whose high office now 

Moses in figure bears, to introduce 

One greater, of whose day he shall foretel, 

And all the prophets in their age the times 

Of great Messiah shall sing. Thus laws and rites 

Establish'd, such delight hath God in men 

Obedient to his will, that he vouchsafes 

Among them to set up his tabernacle, 

The holy One with mortal men to dwell ; 

By his prescript a sanctuary is fram'd 

Of cedar, overlaid with gold, therein 

An ark, and in the ark his testimony. 

The records of his covenant ; over these 

A mercy seat of Gold between the wings 

Of two bright cherubim ; before him bum 

Sev'n lamps as in a zodiac representing 

The heav'nly fires ; over the tent a cloud 

Shall rest by day, a fiery gleam by night. 

Save when they journey, and at length they come, 

Conducted by his angel to the land 



S12 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK Xlf,> 

Promis'd to Abraham and liis seed : the rest 
Were long to tell, how many battles fought, 
How many kings destroy'd and kingdoms Avon, 
Or how the sun shall in mid heav'n stand still 
A day entire, and night's due course adjourn, 
Man's voice commanding, Sun in Gibeon stand, 
And thou moon in the vale of Ajalon, 
Till Israel overcome ; so call the third 
From Abraham, son of Isaac, and from him 
His whole descent, who thus shall Canaan win. 

Here Adam interpos'd : O sent from heav'n, 
Enlight'ner of my darkness, gracious things 
Thou hast reveal'd, those chiefly which concern 
Just Abraham and his seed : now first I find 
Mine eyes true opening, and my heart much eas'd, 
Erewhile perplex'd with thoughts what would become 
Of me and all mankind ; but now I see 
His day, In whom all nations shall be blest, 
Favour unmerited by me, who sought 
Forbidden knowledge by forbidden means. 
This yet 1 apprehend not, why to those 
Among whom God will deign to dwell on earthy 
So many and so various laws are given ; 
So many laws argues so many sins 
Among them ; how can God with such reside ? 

To whom thus Michael : Doubt not but that sin 
Will reign among them, as of thee begot ; 
And therefore was law given them to evince 
Their natural pravity, by stirring up 
Sin against law to fight : that when they see 
Law can discover sin, but now remove, 
Save by those shadowy expiations weak. 
The blood of bulls and goats, they may conclude 
Some blood more precious must be paid for man, 
Just for unjust, that in such righteousness 
To them by faith imputed, they may find 
Justification towards God, and peace 
Of conscience, which the law by ceremonies 
Cannot appease, nor man the mortal part 



BOOK XII.] PARADISE LOST. 313 

Perform, and not performing cannot live. 
So law appears imperfect, and but given 
With purpose to resign them in full time 
Up to a better covenant, disciplin'd 
From shadowy types to truth, from j3esh to spirit, 
Prom imposition of strict laws to free 
Acceptance of large grace, from servile fear 
To filial, works of law to works of faith. 
And therefore shall not Moses, though of God 
Highly belov'd, being but the minister 
Of law, his people into Canaan lead ; 
But Joshua whom the gentiles Jesus call, 
His name and office bearing, who shall quell 
The adversary serpent, and bring back 
Through the world's wilderness long wandered man 
Safe to eternal paradise of rest. 
Meanwhile they in their earthly Canaan plac'd 
Long time shall dwell and prosper, but when sins 
National interrupt their public peace. 
Provoking God to raise them enemies ; 
From whom as oft he saves them penitent 
By judges first, then under kings ; of whom 
The second, both for piety renown'd 
And puissant deeds, a promise shall receive 
Irrevocable, that his regal throne 
For ever shall endure ; the like shall sing 
All prophecy, that of the royal stock 
Of David (so I name this king,) shall rise 
A son, the woman's seed to thee foretold, 
Foretold to Abraham, as in whom shall trust 
All nations, and to kings foretold, of kings 
The last, for of his reign shall be no end. 
But first a long succession must ensue. 
And his next son, for wealth and wisdom fam'd 
The clouded ark of God, till then in tents 
Wand'ring, shall in a glorious temple enshrine. 
Such follow him, as shall be register'd 
Part good, part bad, of bad the longer scroll, 
Whose foul idolatries, and other faults 
27 



314 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK XH. 

Heap'd to the popular sum, will so incense 

God, as to leave them, and expose their land, 

Their city, his temple, and his holy ark 

With all his sacred things, a scorn and prey 

To that proud city, whose high walls thou saw*st 

Left in confusion, Babylon thence call'd. 

There in captivity he lets them dwell 

The space of sev'nty years, then brings them back, 

Rememb'ring mercy, and his covenant sworn 

To David, stablish'd as the days of heav'n. 

Return'd from Babylon by leave of kings 

Their lords, whom God dispos'd, the house of God 

They first re-edify, and for awhile 

In mean estate live moderate, till grown 

In wealth and multitude, factious they grow : 

But first among the priests dissension springs. 

Men who attend the altar, and should most 

Endeavour peace : their strife pollution brings 

Upon the temple itself; at last they seize 

The sceptre, and regard not David's sons, 

Then lose it to a stranger, that the true v •'•' 

Anointed king Messiah might be born - 

Barr'd of his right ; yet at his birth a star 

Unseen before in heav'n proclaims him come. 

And guides the eastern sages, who inquire 

His place, to offer incense, myrrh, and gold ; 

His place of birth a solemn angel tells 

To simple shepherds, keeping watch by night ; 

They gladly thither haste, and by a choir 

Of squadron 'd angels hear his carol sung. 

A virgin is his mother, but his sire 

The pow'r of the most High ; he shall ascend 

The throne hereditary, and bound his reign 

With earth's wide bounds, his glory with the heav'ns. 

He ceas'd, discerning Adam with such joy 
Surcharg'd, as had like grief been dew'd in tears, 
Without the vent of words, which these he breath *d: 

O prophet of glad tidings, finisher 
Of utmost hope ! now clear I understand 



BOOK XII.] PARADISE LOST. 315 

What oft my steadiest tho'ts have searched in vain ; 
Why our great expectation should be call'd 
The seed of woman : virgin mother, hail, 
High in the love of heav'n, yet from my loins 
Thou shalt proceed, and from thy womb the Son 
Of God most High ; so God with man unites. 
Needs must the serpent now his capital bruise 
Expect with mortal pain : say where and when 
Their fight, what stroke shall bruise the victor's heel. 
To whom thus Michael : Dream not of their fight, 
As of a duel, or the local wounds 
Of head or heel ; not therefore joins the Son 
Manhood to godhead, with more strength to foil 
Thy enemy : nor so is overcome 
Satan, whose fall from heav'n, a deadlier bruise, 
Disabled not to give thee thy death's wound ; 
Which he, who comes thy Saviour, shall re-cure, 
Not by destroying Satan, but his works 
In thee and in thy seed ; nor can this be, 
But by fulfilling that which thou didst want, 
Obedience to the law of God, impos'd 
On penalty of death, and suffering death, 
The penalty of thy transgression due. 
And due to theirs, which out of thine will grow ; 
So only can high justice rest appaid. 
The law of God exact he shall fulfil 
Both by obedience and by love, though love 
Alone fulfil the law : thy punishment 
He shall endure by coming in the flesh 
To a reproachful life and cursed death, 
Proclaiming life to all who shall believe 
In his redemption, and that his obedience 
Imputed becomes theirs by faith, his merits 
To save them not their own, though legal works. 
For this he shall live hated, be blasphem'd, 
Seiz'd on by force, judg'd, and to death condemn'd 
A shameful and accurs'd, nail'd to the cross 
By his own nation, slain for bringing life ; 
But to the cross he nails thy enemies, 



316 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK XH. 

The law that is against thee, and the sins 
Of all mankind, with him there crucify'd, 
Never to hurt them more who rightly trust 
In this his satisfaction : so he dies, 
But soon revives ; death over him no power 
Shall long usurp ; ere the third dawning light 
Return, the stars of morn shall see him rise 
Out of his grave, fresh as the dawning light, 
Thy ransom paid, which man from death redeems, 
His death for man, as many as offer 'd life 
Neglect not, and the benefit embrace 
By faith not void of works : this godlike act 
Annuls thy doom, the death thou should'st have dy'd, 
In sin for ever lost from life ; this act 
Shall bruise the head of Satan, cru&h his strength, 
Defeating sin and death his two main arms, 
And fix far deeper in his head their stings 
Than temp'ral death, shall bruise the victor's heel, 
Or theirs whom he redeems, a death like sleep, 
A gentle wafting to immortal life. 
Sot after resurrection shall he stay, 
Longer on earth than certain times t' appear 
To his disciples, men who in his life 
Still foUow'd him ; to them shall leave in charge 
To teach all nations what of him they learn'd, 
And his salvation, them who shall believe 
Baptizing in the profluent stream, the sign 
Of washing them from guilt of sin to life 
Pure, and in mind prepar'd, if so befal, 
For death like that which the Redeemer dy'd. 
All nations they shall teach ; for from that day 
Not only to the sons of Abraham's loins 
Salvation shall be preach'd, but to the sons 
Of Abraham's faith wherever through the world ; 
So in his seed all nations shall be blest. 
Then to the heav'n of heav'ns he shall ascend 
With victory, triumphing through the air 
Over his foes and thine ; there shall surprise 
The serpent, prince of air, and drag in chains 



BOOK XII.] PAiiADISE LOST. 317 

Through all his realm, and there confounded leave ; 

Then enter into glory, and resume 

His seat at God's right hand, exalted high 

Above all names in heav'n ; and thence shall come, 

When this world's dissolution shall be ripe. 

With glory and pow'r to judge both quick and dead, 

To judge th' unfaithful dead, but to reward 

His faithful, and receive them into bliss, 

Whether in heav'n or earth, for then the earth 

Shall all be Paradise, far happier place 

Than this of Eden, and far happier days. 

So spake th' archangel Michael, then paus'd, 
As at the world's great period ; and our sire 
Replete with joy and wonder thus reply 'd : 

O goodness infinite, goodness immense ! 
That all this good of evil shall produce, 
And evil turn to good ; more wonderful 
Than that which by creation first brought forth 
Light out of darkness ! full of doubt I stand, 
Whether I should repent me now of sin 
By me done and occasion'd, or rejoice 
Much more, that much more good thereof shall spring, 
To God more glory, more good will to men 
From God, and over wrath grace shall abound. 
But say, if our Deliverer up to heav'n 
Must reascend, what will betide the few 
His faithful, left among th' unfaithful herd. 
The enemies of truth ? who then shall guide 
His people, who defend ? will they not deal 
Worse with his followers than with him they dealt ? 

Be sure they will, said th' angel : but from heav'n 
He to his own a Comforter will send. 
The promise of the Father, who shall dwell 
His Spirit within them, and the law of faith 
Working through love, upon their hearts shall write 
To guide them in all truth, and also arm 
With spiritual armour, able to resist 
Satan's assaults, and quench his fiery darts, 
What*man can do against them, not afraid, 
27* 



318 PAHADISE LOST. [bOOK XII. 

Though to the death, against such cruelties 

With inward consolations recompens'd, 

And oft supported so as shall amaze 

Their proudest persecuters : for the Spirit 

Pour'd first on his apostles, whom he sends 

To evangelize the nations, then on all 

Baptiz'd, shall them with wondrous gifts endue'' 

To speak all tongues, and do all miracles. 

As did their Lord before them. Thus they win 

Great numbers of each nation to receive 

With joy the tidings brought from heav'n ; at length 

Their ministry perform'd, and race well run, 

Their doctrine and their story written left, 

They die ; but in their room as they forewarn, 

Wolves shall succeed for teachers, grievous wolves, 

Who all the sacred mysteries of heav'n 

To their own vile advantages shall turn, 

Of lucre and ambition, and the truth 

With superstitions and traditions taint, 

Left only in those written records pure. 

Though not but by the Spirit understood. 

Then shall they seek t' avail themselves of names, 

Places, and titles, and with these to join 

Secular pow'r, though feigning still to act 

By spiritual, to them.selves appropriating 

The spirit of God, promis'd alike, and giv'n 

To all believers ; and from that pretence. 

Spiritual laws by carnal pow'r shall force 

On every conscience ; laws which none shall find 

Left them enroll'd, or what the Spirit within 

Shall on the heart engrave. What will they ther 

But force the Spirit of grace itself, and bind 

His consort liberty ? what, but unbuild 

His living temples, built by faith to stand, 

Their own faith not another's ? for on earth 

Who against faith and conscience can be heard * 

Infallible, yet many will presume : 

Whence heavy persecution shall arise 

On all who in the worship persevere 



BOOK XII.J PARADISE LOST. S19 

Of spirit and truth ; the rest, far greater part, 
Will deem in outward rites and specious forms 
Keligion satisfy'd : truth shall retire 
Bestuck with sland'rous darts, and works of faith 
Rarely be found : so shall the world go on, 
To good malignant, to bad men benign. 
Under her own weight groaning, till the day 
Appear of respiration to the just, 
An-d vengeance to the wicked, at return 
Of him so lately promis'd to thy aid, 
To woman's Seed obscurely then foretold, 
Now amplier known thy Saviour and thy Lord, 
Last in the clouds from heav'n to be reveal'd 
In glory of the Father, to dissolve 
Satan with his perverted world, then raise 
From the coniiagrant mass, piu'g'd and refin'd, 
New heav'ns, new earth ages of endless date 
Founded in righteousness and peace and love, 
To bring forth fruits, joy and eternal bliss. 
He ended ; and thus Adam last reply'd : 
How soon hath thy prediction, seer blest, 
Measur'd this transient ^vorld, the race of time, 
Till time stand fix'd ? beyond is all abyss. 
Eternity, whose end no eye can reach. 
Greatly instructed I shall hence depart 
Greatly in peace of thought, and have my fill 
Of knowledge, what this vessel can contain ; 
Beyond which was my folly to aspire. 
Henceforth I learn, that to obey is best, 
And love with fear the only God, to wa'Ik 
As in his presence, ever to observe 
His providence, and on him sole depend. 
Merciful over all his works, with good 
Still overcoming evil, and by small 
Accomplishing great things, by things deem'd weak 
Subverting wordly strong, and wordly wise 
By simply meek : that suffering for truth's sake 
Is fortitude to highest victory, 
And, to the faithful, death the gate of life ; 



320 PARADISE LOST. [bOOK Xfl 

Taught this by his example whom I now 
Acknowledge my Redeemer ever blest. 

To whom thus also th' angel last reply'd : 
This having learn'd, thou hast attain'd the sum 
Of wisdom ; hope no higher, though all the stars 
Thou knew'st by name, and all th' ethereal pow'rs, 
A.11 secrets of the deep, all Nature's works, 
Or works of God in heav'n, air, earth or sea, 
A.nd all the riches of this world enjoy'dst, 
And all the rule, one empire ; only add 
Deeds to thy knowledge answerable, add faith, 
Add virtue, patience, temperance, add love. 
By name to come call'd charity, the soul 
Of all the rest : then wilt thou not be loath 
To leave this Paradise, but shalt possess 
A paradise within thee, happier far. 
Let us descend now therefore from this top 
Of speculation ; for the hour precise 
Exacts our parting hence ; and see ! the guards, 
By me encamp'd in yonder hill, expect 
Their motion, at whose front a flaming sword, 
In signal of remove, waves fiercely round ; 
We may no longer stay : go waken Eve ; 
Her also I with gentle dreams have calm'd 
Portending good, and all her spirits compos'd 
To meek submission : thou at season fit 
Let her with thee partake what thou hast heard, 
Chiefly what may concern her faith to know, 
The great deliverance by her seed to come, 
^For by the woman's seed) on all mankind : 
That ye may live, which will be many days, 
Both in one faith unanimous though sad, 
With cause for evils past, yet much more cheer'd 
With meditation on the happy end. 

He ended, and they both descend the hill ; 
Descended, Adam to the bow'r where Eve 
Lay sleeping ran before, but found her wak'd ; 
And thus with words not sad she him receiv'd : 

Whence thou return 'st, and whither went'st I know, 



BOOK XII.] PARADISE LOST. 821 

For God is also in sleep, and dreams advise, 

"Which he hath sent propitious, some great good 

Presaging, since with sorrow and heart's distress 

Wearied I fell asleep ; but now lead on ; 

In me is no delay; with thee to go, 

Is to stay here ; without thee here to stay, 

Is to go hence unwilling ; thou to me 

Art all things under heav'n, all places thou, 

Who for my wilful crime art banish'd hence. 

This further consolation yet secure 

I carry hence ; though all by me is lost. 

Such favour I unworthy am vouchsafd. 

By me the promis'd Seed shall all restore. 

So spake our mother Eve, and Adam heard 
Well pleas'd, but answer'd not ; for now too nigh 
Th' arch-angel stood, and from the other hill 
To their fix'd station, all in bright array 
The cherubim descended ; on the ground 
Gliding metorous, as evening mist 
Ris'n from a river o'er the marish glides, 
And gathers ground fast at the lab'rer's heel 
Homeward returning. High in front advanc'd, 
The brandish'd sword of God before them blaz'tJ, 
Fierce as a comet ; which with torrid heat, 
And vapour as the Lybian air adust. 
Began to parch that temp'rate clime ; whereat 
In either hand the hast'ning angel caught 
Our ling'ring parents, and to th' eastern gate 
Led them direct, and down the cliff as fast 
To the subjected plain ; then disappear'd. 
They looking back, all th' eastern side beheld 
Of paradise, so late their happy seat, 
Wav'd over by that flaming brand, the gate 
With dreadful faces throng'd and fiery arms : 
Some natural tears they dropt, but wip'd them soon , 
The world was all before them, where to choose 
Their place of rest, and Providence their guide : 
They hand in hand, with wand'ring steps and slow, 
Through Eden took their solitary way. 

THE END OF PARADISE LOST. 



CONTENTS. 



PARADISE REGAINED. 

Book I, 5 

Book II, , 19 

Book III, 33 

Book IV, 45 

Mask of Comus, 63 

Samson Agonistes, 95 

POEMS ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. 

L'Allegro, 145 

II Penseroso, , . 149 

On the death of a fair infant dying of a cough, 154 
At a vacation exercise in the College, . . .157 
On the morning of Christ's Nativity, .... 160 

The Passion, 168 

On Time, • • • • 171 

Upon the Circumcision, 171 

At a solemn Music, 172 

An epitaph on the Marchioness of Winchester, . 173 

Song. — On May Morning, 175 

On Shakspeare, 176 

On the University Carrier, 176 

Another on the same, 177 

Arcades, 178 

Lycidas, 182 

On the new forcers of conscience, under the Long 

Parliament, 188 

The fifth Ode of Horace, Lib. 1 1S9 



CONTENTS. 



SONNETS. 



Td the Nightingale, 191 

On his being arrived at the age of twenty-three, 191 
When the assault was intended to the City, . . 192 

To a virtuous Young Lady, 192 

To the Lady Margaret Ley, 193 

On the detraction which followed upon the writ- 
ting certain treatises, 194 

On the same, 195 

To Mr. H. Lawes, on his airs, 195 

On the religious memory of Mrs. Catharine 

Thomson, 196 

To the Lord General Fairfax, 196 

To the Lord General Cromwell, 197 

To Sir Henry Vane the younger, .... 198 

On the late massacre in Piedmont, 198 

On his blindness, 199 

To Mr. Lawrence, 200 

To Cyriac Skinner, 200 

To the same, 201 

On his deceased Wife, 201 

Psalms, 203 



PARADISE REGAINED. 



BOOK I. 



I WHO erewhile the happy garden sung, 
By one man's disobedience lost, now sing 
Recover'd Paradise to all mankind, 
By one man's firm obedience fully tried 
Through all temptation, and the Tempter foil'd 
In a41 his wiles, defeated and repuls'd, 
And Eden rais'd in the waste wildernes-s. 

Thou spirit who ledst this glorious Eremite 
Into the desert, his victorious field, 
Against the spiritual foe, and brought him thence 
By proof th' undoubted Son of God, inspire, 
As thou art wont, my prompted song, else mut9, 
And bear through height or depth of Nature's bourhlf. 
With prosp'rous wing full summ'd, to tell of deeds 
Above heroic, though in secret done. 
And unrecorded left through many an age. 
Worthy t' have not remain'd so long unsung! 

Now had the great Proclaimer, with a voice 
More awful than the sound of trumpet, cried 
Repentance, and heav'n's kingdom nigh at hand 
To all baptiz'd : to this great baptism flock'd 
With awe the regions round, and with them came 
From Nazareth the son of Joseph deem'd, 
To the flood Jordan, came as then obscure, 
Unmark'd, unknown 5 but him the Baptist soon 



6 I-ARADISE REGAINED [bOOE. L 

Descried, divinely warn'd, and witness bore 
As to his worthier, and would have resign'd 
To him his heavenly office ; nor was long 
His witness unconfirm'd : on him baptiz'd 
Heaven open'd, and in likeness of a dove 
The Spirit descended, while the Father's voice 
From heaven pronounc'd him his beloved Son. 
That heard the adversary, who roving still 
About the world, at that assembly fam'd 
Wruld not be last, and with the voice divine 
Nigh thunder-struck, th' exalted Man, to whom 
Such high attest was given, awhile surveyed 
"With wonder ; then, with envy fraught and rage. 
Flies to his place, nor rests, but in mid-air 
To council summons all his mighty peers, 
Within thick clouds and dark ten-fold involv'd, 
A gloomy consistory; and them amidst 
"With looks aghast and sad he thus bespake : 

O ancient powers of air and this wide world, 
For much more willingly I mention air, 
This our old conquest, than remember Hell, 
pur hated habitation ; well ye know 
How many ages, as the years of men. 
This universe we have possess'd, and rul'd 
In manner at our will th' affairs of earth, 
Since Adam and his facile consort Eve 
Lost Paradise, deceiv'd by me, though since 
"With dread attending when that fatal wound 
Shall be inflicted by the seed of Eve 
Upon my head : long the decrees of heaven 
Delay, for longest time to him is short : 
And now too soon for us the circling hours 
This dreaded time have compass'd, whercin we 
Must bide the stroke of that long threaten'd wound, 
At l&ast if so we can, and by the head 
Broken be not intended all our power 
To be infring'd, our freedom and our being 
in this fair empire won of earth and air; 
For this ill news I bring, the woman's Seed 



BOOK I.] PARADISE REGAINED. 7 

Destin'd to this, is late of woman born : 

His birth to our just fear gave no small cause, 

But his growth now to youth's fall flower, displaying 

All virtue, grace, and wisdom, to achieve 

Things highest, greatest, multiplies my fear. 

Before him a great prophet, to proclaim 

His coming, is sent harbinger, who all 

Invites, and in the consecrated stream 

Pretends to wash off sin, and fit them so 

Purified, to receive him pure ; or rather 

To do him honour as their king : all come, 

And he himself among them was baptiz'd ; 

Not thence to be more pure, but to receive 

The testimony of heaven, that who he is 

Thenceforth the nations may not doubt. I saw 

The prophet do him reverence, on him rising 

Out of the water, heaven above the clouds 

Unfold her chrystal doors, thence on his head 

A perfect dove descend, whate'er it meant. 

And out of heaven the Sov'reign voice I heardi 

This is my Son belov'd, in him am pleas'd. 

His mother then is mortal, but his sire 

He who obtains the monarchy of heaven, 

And what will he not do t' advance his Son ? 

His first-begot we know and sore have felt, 

When his fierce thunder drove us to the deep ; 

Who this is We must learn, for man he seems 

In all his lineaments, though in his face 

The glimpses of his Father's glory shine. 

Ye see our danger on the utmost edge 

Of hazard, which admits no long debate, 

But must with something sudden be oppos'd, 

Not force, but well couch'd fraud, well woven snares 

Ere in the head of nations he appear 

Their king, their leader, and supreme on earth. 

I, when no other durst, sole undertook 

The dismal expedition to find out 

And ruin Adam, and th' exploit perform'd 

Successfully ; a calmer voyage now 



S -PARADISE REGAINED [bOOJ L 

Will waft me : and the way found prosp'rous onc«» 
Induces best to hope of like success. 

He ended, and his words impression left 
Of much amazement to the infernal crew, 
Distracted and surpris'd with deep dismay 
At these sad tidings ; but no time was then 
For long indulgence to their fears or grief: 
Unanimous they all commit the care 
And management of this main enterprise 
To him their great dictator, whose attempt 
At first against mankind so well had thriv'd 
In Adam's overthrow, and led their march 
From hell's deep-vaulted den to dwell in light, 
Regents and potentates, and kings, yea gods 
Of many a pleasant realm and province wide. 
So to the coast of Jordan he directs 
His easy steps, girded with snaky wiles, 
Where he might likeliest find this new declar'd, 
This Man of men, attested Son of God, 
Temptation, and all guile, on him to try ; 
So to subvert whom he suspected rais'd 
To end his reign on earth, so long enjoy 'd ; 
But contrary, unweeting he fulfill'd 
The purpos'd counsel, pre-ordain'd and fix'd 
Of the Most high, who in full frequence bright 
Of angels, thus to Gabriel, smiling, spake : 

Gabriel this day by proof thou shalt behold. 
Thou and all angels conversant on earth 
With man or men's affairs, how I begin 
To verify that solemn message late. 
On which I sent thee to the Virgin pure 
In Galilee, that she should bear a Son 
Great in renown, and call'd the Son of God ; 
Then told'st her doubting how these things could W 
To her a virgin, that on her should come 
The Holy Ghost, and the power of the Highest 
O'er-shadow her ; this Man born, and now upgrown 
To show him worthy of his birth divine 
And high predictit)n, henceforth I expos© 



BOOK I.] PARADISE EEGAINED. 

To Satan ; let him tempt and now assay 

His utmost subtilty, because he boasts 

And vaunts of his great cunning to the throng 

Of his apostacy ; he might have learnt 

Less overweening since he fail'd in Job, 

Whose constant perseverance overcame 

What'er his cruel malice could invent. 

He now shall know I can produce a Man 

Of female seed, far abler to resist 

All his solicitations, and at length 

All his vast force, and drive him back to hell, 

Winning by conquest v/hat the first man lost, 

By fallacy surpris'd. But first I mean 

To exercise him in the wilderness ; 

There shall he first lay down the rudiments 

Of his great warfare, ere I send him forth 

To conquer Sin and Death, the two grand foe» 

By humiliation and strong sufferance ; 

His weakness shall o'ercome Satanic strength, 

And all the world, and mass of sinful flesh ; 

That all the angels and ethereal powers, 

They now, and men hereafter, may discern 

From what consummate virtue I have chose 

This perfect Man, by merit call'd my Son. 

To earn salvation for the sons of men. 

So spake th' eternal Father, and all heaven 
Admiring stood a space, then into hymns 
Burst forth, and in celestial measures mov'd, 
Circling the throne and singing, while the hand 
Sung Avith the voice, and this the argument : 

Vict'ry and triumph to the Son of God, 
Vow ent'ring his great duel, not of arms, 
But to vanquish by wisdom hellish wiles. 
The Father knows the Son ; therefore secure 
Ventures his filial virtue, though untried, 
Against whate'er may tempt, whate'er seduce, 
Allure, or terrify, or undermine. 
Be frustrate all ye stratagems of hell. 
And devilish machinations come to nought. 



10 PARADISE REGAINED. [boOK I. 

So they in heaven their odes and vigils tun'd; 
Meanwhile the Son of God, who yet some days 
Lodg'd in Bethabara, where John baptiz'd, 
Musing and much revolving in his breast, 
How best the mighty work he might begin 
Of Saviour to mankind, and which way first 
Publish his godlike ofice now mature. 
One day forth w^alk'd alone, the Spirit leading, 
And his deep thoughts, the better to converse 
With Solitude, till far from track of men, 
Thought following thought, and step by step led on, 
He enter'd now the bord'ring desert wild. 
And with dark shades and rocks environ'd round, 
His holy meditations thus pursu'd : 

O what a multitude of thoughts at once 
Awaken'd in me swarm, while I consider 
What from within I feel myself, and hear 
What from without comes often to my ears, 
111 sorting with my present state compar'd ! 
When I was yet a child, no childish play 
To me was pleasing : all my mind was set 
Serious to learn and know, and thence to do 
What might be public good : myself I thought 
Born to that end, born to promote all truth, 
All righteous things : therefore above my years, 
The law of God I read, and found it sweet. 
Made it my whole delight, and in it grew 
To such perfection, that ere yet my age 
Hp,d measur'd twice six years, at our great feast 
I went into the temple, there to hear 
The teachers of our law, and to propose 
What might improve my knowledge, or their own ; 
And was admir'd by all : yet this not all 
To which my spirit aspir'd : victorious deeds 
Flam'd in my heart, heroic acts, one while 
To rescue Israel from the Roman yoke, 
Then to subdue and quell o'er all the earth 
Brute violence and proud tyrannic power, 
Till truth were freed, and equity rcstor'd ; 



BOOK I.J PARADISE REGAINED. 11 

Yet held it more humane, more heavenly, first, 

By winning words, to conquer willing hearts, 

And make Persuasion do the work of Fear; 

At least to try, and teach the erring soul 

Not wilfully mis-doing, but unaware 

Misled ; the stubborn only to subdue. 

These growing thoughts, my mother soon perceiving 

By words at times cast forth, inly rejoic'd, 

And said to me apart, — ' High are thy thoughts, 

O Son, but nourish them, and let them soar 

To what height sacred virtue and true worth 

Can raise them, though above example high ; 

By matchless deeds express thy matchless Sire. 

For know, thou art no son of mortal man ; 

Though men esteem thee low of parentage. 

Thy Father is th' eternal King, who rules 

All heaven and earth, angels and sons of men. 

A messenger from God foretold thy birth 

Conceiv'd in me a virgin ; he foretold 

Thou shouldst be great, and sit on David's throne, 

And of thy kingdom there should be no end. 

At thy nativity a glorious choir 

Of angels in the fields of Bethlehem sung 

To shepherds, watching at their folds by night, 

And told them the Messiah now was born, 

Where they might see him, and to thee they came, 

Directed to the manger where thou lay'st, 

For in the inn was left no better room ; 

A star, not seen before, in heaven appearing, 

Guided the wise men thither from the east, 

To honour thee with incense, myrrh, and gold. 

By whose bright course led on they found the place. 

Affirming it thy star new graven in heaven, 

By which they knew the King of Israel born. 

Just Simeon and prophetic Anna, warn'd 

By vision, found thee in the temple, and spake 

Before the altar and the vested priest. 

Like things of thee to all that present stood.' — 

This having hear<l, straight I again revolv'd 



12 PARADISE REGAINED. [bOOK I. 

The law and prophets, searching what was writ 
Concerning the Messiah, to our scribes 
Known partly, and soon found of whom they spake 
I am ; this chiefly, that my way must lie 
Through many a hard essay, ev'n to the death, 
Ere I the promis'd kingdom can attain, 
Or work redemption for mankind, whose sins 
Full weight must be transferr'd upon my head. 
Yet neither thus dishearten'd or dismay'd, 
The time prefix'd I waited, when behold 
The Baptist (of whose birth I oft have heard, 
Not knew by sight) now come, who was to come 
Before Messiah, and his way prepare. 
I, as all others to his baptism came. 
Which I believ'd was from above : but he 
Straight knew me, and with loudest voice proclaimed 
Me him, (for it was shown him so from heaven,) 
IVIe him, whose harbinger he was ; and first 
Refus'd on me his baptism to confer. 
As much his greater, and was hardly won : 
But as I rose out of the laving stream. 
Heaven open'd her eternal doors, from whence 
The Spirit descended on me like a dove. 
And last, the sum of all, my Father's voice 
Audibly heard from heaven, pronounc'd me his, 
Me his beloved Son, in whom alone 
He was well pleas'd ; by which I knew the time 
Now full, that I no more should live obscure, 
But openly begin, as best becomes 
Th' authority which I deriv'd from heaven. 
And now by some strong motion I am led 
Into this wildernss; to what intent 
I learn not yet, perhaps I need not know ; 
For what concejrns my knowledge God reveals. 
So spoke our Morning Star, then in his rise, 
And, looking round on every side, beheld 
A pathless desert dusk with horrid shades : 
The way he came not having mark'd, return 
Was difficult, by human steps untrod ; 



BOOKt.l PARADISE REGAINED. VA 

And he still on was led, but with such thoughts 
Accompanied of things past and to come 
Lodg'd in his breast, as well might recommend 
Such solitude before choicest society. 
Full forty days he pass'd, whether on hill 
Sometimes, anon in shady vale, each night 
Under the covert of some ancient oak, 
Or cedar, to defend him from the dew, 
Or harbour'd in lone cave, is not re.veal'd; 
Nor tasted human food, nor hunger felt 
Till those days ended, hunger'd then at last 
Among wild beasts ; they at his sight grew mild, 
Nor sleeping him nor waking harm'd ; his walk 
The fiery serpent fled, and noxious worm, 
The lion and fierce tiger glar'd aloof. 
But now an aged man, in rural Aveeds, 
Following, as seem'd the quest of some stray ewe, 
Or wither'd sticks to gather, which might serve 
Against a winter's day, when winds blow keen, 
To warm him, wet return'd from field at eve, 
He saw approach, who first with curious eye 
Perus'd him, then with words thus utter'd spoke ; 

Sir, what ill chance hath brought thee to this place 
So far from path or road of men, who pass 
In troop or caravan ? for single none 
Durst ever, who return'd, and dropp'd not here 
His carcass, pin'd with hunger and with drought. 
I ask thee rather, and the more admire. 
For that to me thou seem'st the Man whom late 
Our new baptising Prophet at the ford 
Of Jordan honour'd so, and call'd thee Son 
Of God, I saw and heard ; for we sometimes, 
"Who dwell this wild ; constrain'd by want come forth 
To town or village nigh, (nighest is far,) 
Where ought we hear, and curious are to hear, 
What happens new : Fame also finds us out." 
To whom the Son of God : Who brought me hithcFi 
Will bring me hence ; no other guide I seek. 

By miracle he may, replied the swain ; 



14 PARADISE REGAINED, [bOOK I. 

WTiat Other way I see not ; for we here 

Live on tough roots and stubs, to thirst inur'd 

More than the cancel, and to drink go far, 

Men to much misery and hardship born ; 

But if thou be the Son of God, command 

That out of these hard stones be made thee bread, 

So shah thou save thyself, and us relieve 

With food, whereof we wretched seldom taste. 

He ended, and the Son of God replied : 
Think'st thou such force in bread ? Is it not written 
(For I discern thee other than thou seem'st) 
Man lives not by bread only, but each word 
Proceeding from the mouth of God, who fed 
Our fathers here with manna ? In the mount 
Moses was forty days, nor eat nor drank ; 
And forty days Elijah without food 
Wander'd this barren waste ; the same I now : 
Why dost thou then suggest to me distrust, 
Knowing who I am, as I know who thou art ? 
Whom thus answer'd th' archfiend, now UHdis* 
guis'd : 
'Tis true I am that spirit unfortunate, 
Who, leagu'd with millions more in rash revolt. 
Kept not my happy station, but was driven 
With them from bliss to the bottomless deep ; 
Yet to that hideous place not so confin'd 
By rigour unconniving, but that oft 
Leaving my dolorous prison, I enjoy 
Large liberty to round this globe of earth. 
Or range in th' air ; nor from the heaven of heaven* 
Hath he excluded my resort sometimes. 
I came among the Sons of God when he 
Gave up into my hands Uzzean Job, 
To prove him and illustrate his high worth ; 
And when to all his angels he propos'd 
To draw the proud king Ahab into fraud, 
That he might fall in Ramoth, they demurring, 
I undertook that ot!ice, and the tongues 
Of all his flattering prophets glibb'd with lies, 



^OOK I.] PARADISE REGAINED. »0 

To his destruction, as I had in charge ; 

For what he bids I do ; though I have lost 

Much lustre of my native brightness, lost 

To be belov'd of God, I have not lost 

To love, at least contemplate and admire 

What I see excellent in good, or fair, 

Or virtuous ; I should so have lost all sense. 

What can be then less in me than desire 

To see thee and approach thee, whom I know 

Declar'd the Son of God, to hear attest 

Thy wisdom, and behold thy godlike deeds ? 

Men generally think me much a foe 

To all mankind ; why should I ? They to me 

Never did wrong or violence : by them 

I lost not what I lost ; rather by them 

I gain'd what I have gain'd, and with them dwell 

Copartner in these regions of the world, 

If not disposer ; lend them oft my aid, 

Oft my advice, by presages and signs, 

And answers, oracles, portents and dreams, 

Whereby they may direct their future life. 

Envy they say excites me thus to gain 

Companions of my misery and wo. 

At first it may be ; but long since with wo 

Nearer acquainted, now I feel, by proof, 

That fellowship in pain divides not smart, 

Nor lightens aught each man's peculiar load. 

Small consolation then, were man adjoin'd : 

This wounds me most, (what can it less ?) that man,. 

Man fallen shall be restor'd, I never more. 

To whom our Saviour sternly thus replied : 
Deservedly thou griev'st, compos'd of lies 
From the beginning, and in lies wilt end ; 
Who boasts release from hell, and leave to come 
[nto the heaven of heavens : thou com'st indeed 
A.S a poor miserable captive-thrall 
Comes to the place where he before had sat 
Among the prime in splendour, now depos'd, 
Ejectedj emptied, gaz'd unpitied, shunn'd, 



16 PAR.A.DISE REGAINfii). [fiOOlt I. 

A spectacle of ruin or of scorn 

To all the host of heaven ; the happy place 

Imparts to thee no happiness, no joy, 

Rather inflames thy torment representing 

Lost bliss, to thee no more communicable, 

So never more in hell than when in heaven* 

But thou art serviceable to heaven's King* 

Wilt thou impute t' obedience what thy fear 

Extorts, or pleasure to do ill excites ? 

What but thy malice mov'd thee to misdeem 

Of righteous Job, then cruelly to afliict him 

With all inflictions ? but his patience won. 

The other service was thy chosen task 

To be a liar in four hundred mouths ; 

For lying is thy sustenance, thy food. 

Yet thou pretend'st to truth ; all oecacles 

By thee are given, and what confess'd more true 

Among the nations ? that hath been thy craft, 

By mixing somewhat true to vent more lies. 

But what have been thy answers, what but dark, 

Ambiguous, and with double sense deluding ; 

Which they who ask'd have seldom understood, 

And not well understood as good not known ? 

Whoever by consulting at thy shrine 

Return'd the wiser, or the more instruct 

To fly or follow what concern'd him most, 

And run not sooner to his fatal snare ? 

For God hath justly given the nations up 

To thy delusions ; justly, since they fell 

Idolatrous : but when his purpose is 

Among them to declare his providence 

To thee not known, whence hast thou then thy trMtJ», 

But from him, or his angels president 

In every province ? who themselves disdainin^f 

T' approach thy temples, give thee in command 

What to the smallest tittle thou shalt say 

To thy adorers ; thou, with trembling tear. 

Or, like a fawning parasite obey'st • 

Then to thyself ascrib'st the truth foretold. 



BOOK I.J PASADISE REGAINED. 17 

But this thy glory shall be soon retrench'd ; 

No more shalt thou by oracle abuse 

The Gentiles ; henceforth oracles are ceas'd, 

And thou no more with pomp and sacrifice 

Shah be inquir'd at Delphos or else where ; 

At least in vain, for they shall find thee mute. 

God hath now sent his Living Oracle 

Into the world to teach his final will, 

A^d sends his Spirit of Truth henceforth to dwell 

In pious hearts, an inward oracle 

To all truth requisite for men to know. 

So spake our Saviour ; but the subtle fiend, 
Though inly stung with anger and disdain, 
Dissembled, and this answer smooth returned : 

Sharply thou hast insisted on rebuke, 
And urg'd me hard with doings, which not will, 
Bat misery, hath wrested from me ; where 
Easily canst thou find one miserable, 
And not enforc'd oft-times to part from truth ; 
If it may stand him more in stead to lie. 
Say and unsay, feign, flatter, or abjure ? 
But thou art plac'd above me, thou art Lord ; 
From thee I can and must submiss endure 
Check or reproof, and glad to scape so quit. 
Hard are the ways of Truth, and rough to walk : 
Smooth on the tongue discoursed, pleasing to th' ear 
And tunable as sylvan pipe or song ; 
What wonder then if I delight to hear 
Her dictates from thy mouth ? Most men admire 
Virtue, who follow not her lore : permit me 
To hear thee when I come (since no man comes) 
And talk at least, though I despair t' attain. 
Thy Father, who is holy, wise, and pure, 
Suffers the hypocrite or atheous priest 
To tread his sacred courts, and minister 
About his altar, handling holy things. 
Praying, or vowing, and vouchsaf 'd his voice 
To Baalam reprobate, a prophet yet 
Inspir'd : disdain not such access to m© 
B* 



18 PARADISE SE GAINED. [bOOK I 

To whom our Saviour with unaltered brow : 
Thy coming hither, though I know thy scope 
I bid not or forbid ; do as thou find'st 
Permission from above ; thou canst not more. 

He added not ; and Satan, bowing low 
His grey dissimulation, disappeared 
Into thin air diffus'd : for now began 
Night with her sullen wings to -double shade 
The desert ; fowls in their clay nests were couched 
And now wild beasts came forth the woods tt 
roam. 



END OF BOOK FIRST. 



PARADISE REGAINED 



BOOK II. 



Meanwhile the new baptiz'd, who yet remain 'd 

At Jordan with the Baptist, and had seen 

Him whom they heard so late expressly call'd 

Jesus, Messiah, Son of God declar'd ; 

And on that high authority had believed, 

And with him talk'd, and with him lodg'd, (I mean 

Andrew and Simon, famous after known. 

With others, though in holy writ not nam'd,) 

Now missing him, their joy so lately found, 

So lately found, and so abruptly gone, 

Began to doubt, and doubted many days. 

And as the days increas'd, increas'd their doubt : 

Sometimes they thought he might be only shown 

And for a time caught up to God, as once 

Moses was in the mount, and missing long ; 

And the great Thisbite, who on fiery wheels 

Rode up to heaven, yet once again to come. 

Therefore as those young prophets then with care 

Sought lost Elijah, so in each place these 

Nigh to Bethabara ; in Jericho, 

The city of Palms, iEnon and Salem old, 

Machajrus, and each town or city wall'd 

On this side the broad lake Genezaret, 

Or in Perea ; but returned in vain. 

Then on the bank of Jordan, by a creek, 



20 PARADISE REGAINED. [bOOK IL 

Where winds with reeds and osiers whisp'ring play, 
Plain fishermen, no greater men them call. 
Close in a cottage low together got, 
Their unexpected loss and plaints outbreath'd : 

Alas from what high hope to what relapse 
Unlook'd for are we fallen ? our eyes beheld 
Messiah certainly now come, so long 
Expected of our fathers ; we have heard 
His words, his wisdom, full of grace and truth ; 
Now, now, for sure deliverance is at hand, 
The kingdom shall to Israel be restored : 
Thus we rejoic'd, but soon our joy is turn'd 
Into perplexity and new amaze : 
For whither is he gone, wha.t accident 
Hath rapt him from us ? will he now retire 
After appearance, and igain prolong 
Our expectation ? God of Israel, 
Send thy Messiah forth, ihe time is come ; 
Behold the kings of th' earta how they oppress 
Thy chosen, to what heights their power unjust 
They have exalted, and behind them cast 
All fear of thee : arise and vindicate 
Thy glory, free thy people from their yoke. 
But let us wait ; thus far he hath performed* 
Sent his anointed, and to us revealed him, 
By his great Prophet, pointed at and shown 
In public, and with him we have convers'd ; 
Let us be glad of this, and all our fears 
Lay on his providence ; he will not fail, 
Nor will withdraw him now, nor will recal, 
Meek us with his bless'd sight, then snatch biir 

hence ; 
-^oon we shall see our hope, our joy, return. 

Thus they out of their plaints new hope resume 
To find whom at the first they found unsought : 
But to his mother Mary, when she saw 
Others return'd from baptism not her son, 
Nor left at Jordan, tidings of him none, 
Within her breast tho' calm, her breast tho' pure, 



BOOK U.] PARADISE REGAINED. 21 

Motherly cares and fears got head, and rais'd 
Some troubled thoughts, which she in sighs thus 
clad : 
O what avails me now that honour high 
To have conceiv'd of God, or that salute, 
Hail highly favour'd among women bless'd ! 
While I to sorrows am no less advanc'd, 
And fears as eminent, above the lot 
Of other women, by the birth I bore 
In such a season born, when scarce a shed 
Could be obtain'd to shelter him or me 
From the bleak air ; a stable was our warmth, 
A manger his ; yet soon enforc'd to fly 
Thence into Egypt, till the murd'rous king 
Were dead, who sought his life, and missing fiU'd 
With infant blood the streets of Bethlehem : 
From Egypt home return'd ; in Nazareth 
Hath been our dwelling many years ; his life 
Private, unactive, calm, contemplative, 
Little suspicious to any king ; but now 
Full grown to man acknowledg'd as I hear, 
By John the Baptist, and in public shown, 
Son own'd from heaven by his Father's voice ; 
I look'd for some great change : to honour ? no, 
But trouble ; as old Simeon plain foretold, 
That to the fall and rising he should be 
Of many in Israel and to a sign 
Spoken against, that through my very soul 
A sword shall pierce. This is my favour'd lot, 
My exaltation to afflictions high : 
Afflicted I may be, it seems, and bless'd : 
I will not argue that, nor will repine : 
But where delays he now ? some great intent 
Conceals him. When twelve years he scarce had seen, 
I lost him, but so found, as well I saw 
He could not lose himself ; but went about 
His Father's business ; what he meant I mus'd. 
Since understand ; much more his absence now, 
Thus long to some great purpose he .obscures. 



22 I*ARADISE REGAINED. [bOOK D 

But I to wait with patience am inur'd : 

My heart hath been a store-house long of things 

And sayings laid up, portending strange events. 

Thus Mary, pondering oft, and oft to mind 
Recalling what remarkably had pass'd 
Since first her salutation heard, with thoughts 
Meekly compos'd awaited the fulfiling : 
The while her Son tracing the desert wild ; 
Sole, but with holiest meditations fed, 
Into himself descended, and at once 
All his great work to come before him set j 
How to begin, how to accomplish best 
His end of being on earth, and mission high : 
For Satan with sly preface to return 
Had left him vacant and with speed was gone 
Up to the middle region of thick air, 
Where all his potentates in council sat ; 
There without sign of boast, or sign of joy, 
Solicitious and blank, he thus began : 

Princes, heaven's ancient sons, ethereal thrones 
Demonian spirits now, from th' element 
Each of his reign allotted, rightlier call'd 
Pow'rs of fire, air, water, and earth beneath, 
So may we hold our place and these mild seats 
Without new trouble ; such an enemy 
Is risen to invade us, who no less 
Threatens than our expulsion down to hell : 
I, as I undertook, and with the vote 
Consenting in full frequence was impower'd, 
Have found him, view'd him, tasted him, but find 
Far other labour to be undergone 
Than when I dealt with Adam, first of men, 
Though Adam by his wife's allurement fell, 
However to this man inferior far. 
If he be man by mother's side at least. 
With more than human gifts from heaven adorn' d, 
Perfections absolute, graces divine 
And amplitude of mind to greatest deeds : 
Therefore I am returned, lest confidence 



BOOK n.] PAftADlSfi REGAINED. 23 

Of my success with Eve in Paradise 

Deceive ye to persuasion over-sure 

Of like succeeding here ; I summon all 

Rather to he in readiness, with hand 

Or counsel to assist ; lest I, who erst 

Thought none my equal, now be over-match'd. 

So spake th' old Serpent doubting, and from all 
With clamour was assur'd their utmost aid 
At his command ; when from amidst them rose 
Belial, the dissolutest spirit that fell, 
The sensuallest, and after Asmodai 
The fleshliest incubus, and thus advis'd : 

Set women in his eye and in his walk 
Among daughters of men the fairest found ; 
Many are in each region passing fair 
As the noon sky ,« more like to goddesses 
Than mortal creatures, graceful and discreet 
Expert in amorous arts, enchanting tongues 
Persuasive, virgin majesty with mild 
And sweet allay 'd, yet terrible to approach, 
Skill'd to retire, and in retiring draw 
Hearts after them tangled in amorous nets. 
Such objects hath the power to soften and tame 
Severest temper, smooth the rugged'st brow, 
Enerve, and with voluptuous hope dissolve, 
Draw out with credulous desire, and lead 
At will the manliest, resolutest breast, 
As the magnetic hardest iron draws. 
Women, when nothing else, beguil'd the heart 
Of wisest Solomon, and made him build, 
And made him bow to the gods of his wives. 

To whom quick answer Satan thus return'd : 
Belial, in much uneven scale thou weigh'st 
All others by thyself: because of old 
Thou thyself doat'dst on womankind, admiring 
Their shape, their colour, and attractive grace, 
None are, thou think'st but taken with such toys. 
Before the flood, thou, with thy lusty crew. 
False titled sons of God, roaming the earth, 



24 PARADISE REGAINED. [bOOK H 

Cast wanton eyes on the daughters of men, 

And coupled with them, and begot a race. 

Have not we seen, or by relation heard. 

In courts and regal chambers how thou lurk'st 

In wood, or grove, by mossy fountain side : 

In valley, or green meadow, to way-lay 

Some beauty rare, Calisto, Clymene> 

Daphne, or Semele, Antiopa, 

Or Amymone, Syrinx, many more 

Too long, then lay'st thy 'scapes on names ador'dj^ 

Apollo, Neptune, Jupiter, or Pan, 

Satyr, or Faun, or Sylvan ? But these haunts 

Delight not all ; among the sons of men» 

How many have with a smile made small account 

Of beauty and her lures, easily scorn'd 

All her assaults, on worthier things intent ? 

Remember that Pellean conquerer, 

A youth, how all the beauties of the east 

He slightly view'd, and slightly overpass'd : 

How he surnam'd of Africa, dismiss'd 

In his prime youth the fair Iberian maid. 

For Solomon, he liv'd at ease, and full 

Of honour, wealth high fare, aim'd not beyond 

Higher design than to enjoy his state; 

Thence to the bait of woman lay expos'd : 

But he whom we attempt, is wiser far 

Than Solomom, of more exalted mind, 

Made and set wholly on th' accomplishment 

Of greatest things : what woman will you find, 

Though of this age the wonder and the fame. 

On whom his leisure will vouchsafe an eye 

Of fond desire ? or should she confident, 

As sitting queen ador'd on beauty's throne, 

Descend with all her winning charms begirt 

To enamour, as the zone of Venus once 

Wrought that effect on Jove, so fables tell ; 

How would one look from his majestic brow 

Seated as on the top of virtue's hill, 

Discount'nance her despis'd, and put to rout 



liOOK II.] PARADISE REGAINEI}. ^ 

All her array ; her female pride deject, 

Or turn to reverent awe ? For beauty stands 

In th' admiration only of weak minds 

Led captive ; cease to admire, and all her plumes 

Fall flat, and shrink into a trivial toy. 

At every sudden slighting quite abash'd : 

Therefore, with manlier objects we must try 

His constancy, with such as have more show 

Of worth, of honour, glory, and popular praise ; 

Rocks whereon greatest men have oftest wreck'd ; 

Or that which only seems to satisfy 

Lawful desires of nature, not beyond : 

And now I know he hungers where no food 

Is to be found, in the wide wilderness : 

The rest commit to me, I shall let pass 

No advantage, and his strength as oft assay. 

He ceas'd, and heard their grant in loud acclaim : 
Then forthwith to him takes a chosen band 
Of spirits likest to himself in guile 
To be at hand, and at his beck appear, 
If cause were to unfold some active scene 
Of various persons, each to know his part ; 
Then to the desert takes with these his flight ; 
Where still from shade to shade the Son of God 
After forty days fasting, had remain'd. 
Now hung'ring first, and to himself thus said : 

Where will this end ? Four times ten days I've 
pass'd 
Wand'ring this woody maze, and human food 
Nor tasted, nor had appetite ; that fast 
To virtue I impute not, or count part 
Of what I suffer here ; if nature need not, 
Or God support nature without repast 
Though needing, what praise is it to endure ? 
But now I feel I hunger, which declares 
Nature hath need of what she asks ; yet God 
Can satisfy that need some other way, 
Though hunger still remain ; so it remain 
Without this body's wasting, I content me, 
C 



S6 PARADISE EEGAINED. [bOOK II 

And from the sting of famine, fear no harm 
Nor mind it, fed with better thoughts that feed 
Me, hung'ring more to do my Father's will." 

It was the hour of night, when thus the Son 
Commun'd in silent walk, then laid him down 
Under the hospitable covert nigh 
Of trees thick interwoven ; there he slept. 
And dream'd, as appetite is wont to dream, 
Of meats and drinks, nature's refreshment sweet ; 
Him thought he by the brook of Cherith stood, 
And saw the ravens with their horny beaks 
Food to Elijah bringing even and morn. 
Though ravenous, taught to abstain from what they 

brought : 
He saw the prophet also how he fled 
Into the desert, and how there he slept 
Under a juniper; then how awak'd 
He found his supper on the coals prepar'd, 
And by the angel was bid rise and eat, 
And eat the second time after repose, 
The strength whereof suffic'd him forty days ; 
Sometimes that with Elijah he partook, 
Or as a guest with Daniel at his pulse. 
Thus wore out night ; and now the herald lark 
Left his ground nest, high tow'ring to descry 
The morn's approach, and greet her with his song • 
As lightly from his grassy couch up rose 
Our Saviour, and found all was but a dream, 
Fasting he went to sleep, and fasting wak'd : 
Up to a hill anon his steps he rear'd. 
From whose high top to ken the prospect round, 
If cottage were in view, sheep-cote or herd ; 
But cottage, herd, or sheep-cote none he saw ; 
Only in a bottom saw a pleasant grov?, 
With chaunt of tuneful birds resounding loud : 
Thither he bent his way, determin'd there 
To rest at noon, and enter'd soon the shade 
High roof 'd, and walks beneath, and alleys brown, 
Thai open'd in the midst a woody scene : 



BOOK n. I PARADISE REGAINED. 27 

Nature's own work it seem'd, (nature taught art ;) 

And to a superstitious eye the haunt 

Of wood-gods and wood-nymphs : he view'd it round, 

When suddenly a man before him stood, 

Not rustic as before, but seemlier clad. 

As one in city, or court, or palace bred : 

And with fair speech these words to him address'd : 

With granted leave officious I return, 
But much more wonder that the Son of God 
In this wild solitude so long should bide 
Of all things destitute, and well I know 
Not without hunger. Others of some note 
As story tells, have trod this wilderness ; 
The fugitive bond-woman with her son, 
Outcast Nebaioth, yet found here relief 
By a providing angel ; all the race 
Of Israel here had famish'd, had not God 
Rain'd from heaven manna ; and that prophet bold, 
Native of Thebez, wand'ving here was fed 
Twice by a voice inviting him to eat : 
Of thee these forty days none hath regard, 
Forty and more deserted here indeed. 

To whom thus Jesus : what conclud'st thou hence ' 
They all had need, I as thou seest have none. 

How hast thou hunger then ? Satan replied : 
Tell me if food were now before thee set 
Wouldst thou not eat ? Thereafter as I like 
The giver, answer 'd Jesus. Why should tha 
Cause thy refusal ? said the subtle fiend. 
Hast thou not right to all created things ?. 
Owe not all creatures by just right to thee 
Duty and service, not to stay till bid. 
But tender all their power ? Nor mention I 
Meats by the law unclean, or offer'd first 
To idols, those young Daniel could refuse ; 
Nor profier'd by an enemy ; though who 
Would scruple that, with want oppress'd ? Behold 
Nature asham'd, or better to express. 
Troubled that thou shouldst hunger, hath purvey'd 



28 PARADISE REGAINED. [bOOK l\. 

From all the elements her choicest store 
To treat thee as beseems, and as her Lord 
With honour, only deign to sit and eat. 

He spake no dream ; for as his words had end, 
Our Saviour, lifting up his eyes, beheld 
In ample space, under the broadest shade, 
A table richly spread in regal mode, 
With dishes pil'd, and meats of noblest sort 
And savour, beasts of chace, or fowl of game, 
In pastry built, or from the spit, or boil'd, 
Gris-amber-steam'd ; all fish from sea or shore, 
Freshet, or purling brook, of shell or fin, 
And exquisitest name, for which was drain'd 
Pontus, and Lucrine bay, and Afric coast. 
Alas ! how simple, to these cates compar'd, 
Was that crude apple that diverted Eve I 
And at a stately side-board, by the wine, 
That fragrant smell diffus'd, in order stood 
Tall stripling youths, rich clad, of fairer hue 
Than Ganymede or Hylas ; distant more 
Under the trees, now tripp'd, now solemn stood. 
Nymphs of Diana's train, and Naiades 
With fruits and flowers from Amalthea's horn, 
And ladies of th' Hesperides, that seem'd 
Fairer than feign'd of old, or fabled since 
Of fairy damsels met in forests wide 
By knights of Logres, oi; of Lyones, 
Lancelot, or Pelleas, or Pellenore : 
And all the while harmonious airs were heard 
Of chyming strings, or charming pipes, and winds 
Of gentlest gales Arabian odours fann'd 
From their soft wings, and Flora's earliest smells. 
Such was the splendour, and the Tempter now 
His invitation earnestly renew'd : 

What doubts the Son of God to sit and eat ? 
These are not fruits forbidden ; no interdict 
Defends the touching of these viands pure ; 
Their taste no knowledge works at least of evil. 
But life preserves, destroys life's enemy, 



BOOK U.] PARADISE REGAINED. 29 

Hunger, with sweet restorative delight. 

All these are spirits of air, and woods, and springs, 

Thy gentle ministers, who come to pay 

Thee homage, and acknowledge thee their Lord ; 

"What doubt'st thou. Son of God? sit down and eat. 

To whom thus Jesus temp'rately replied : 
Said'st thou not that to all things I had right ? 
And who withholds my power that right to use : 
Shall I receive by gift what of my own, 
When and where likes me best, I can command ? 
I can at will, doubt not, as soon as thou, 
Command a table in this wilderness, 
And call swift flights of angels ministrant, 
Array'd in glory, on my cup t' attend : 
Why shouldst thou then obtrude this diligence, 
In vain, where no acceptance it can find ? 
And with my hunger what hast thou to do ? 
Thy pompous delicacies I contemn. 
And count thy specious gifts no gifts, but guile. 

To whom thus answer'd Satan malcontent : 
That I have also power to give thou seest ; 
If of that power I bring thee voluntary 
What I might have bestow'd on whom I pleas'd^ 
And rather ^opportunely in this place 
Chose to impart to thy apparent need. 
Why shouldst thou not accept it ? But I see 
What I can do or offer is suspect ; 
Of these things others quickly will dispose, 
Whose pains have earn'd the far fetcht spoil. 
With that both table and provision vanish'd quite, 
With sound of harpies' wings, and talons heard : 
Only th' importune Tempter sill remain'd. 
And with these words his temptation pursu'd : 

By hunger, that each other creature tames, 
Thou art not to be harm'd, therefore not mov'd t 
Thy temperance invincible besides. 
For no allurement yields to appetite. 
And all thy heart is set on high designs, 
High actions ; but wherewith to be achiev'd ? 



30 PAIEiADISE BEGAINED. [BOOK U 

Great acts require great means of enterprize ; 
Thou art unknown, unfriended, low of birth, 
A carpenter thy father known, thyself 
Bred up in poverty and straits at home, 
Lost in a desert here, and hunger-bit ; 
AVhich way or from what hope dost thou aspire 
To greatness ? whence authority deriv'st ? 
What followers, what retinue canst thou gain. 
Or at thy heels the dizzy multitude, 
Longer than thou canst feed them on thy cost ? 
Money brings honour, friends, conquest, and realms. 
What rais'd Antipater, the Edomite, 
And his son Herod plac'd on Juda's throne, 
(Thy throne) but gold, that got him puissant friends ? 
Therefore, if at great things thou wouldst arrive, 
Get riches first, get wealth and treasure heap, 
Not difficult, if thou hearken to me : 
Riches are mine, fortune is in my hand ; 
They whom I favour thrive in wealth amain. 
While virtue, valour, wisdom, sit in want. 
To whom thus Jesus patiently replied : 
Yet wealth without these three is impotent 
To gain dominion, or to keep it gain'd. 
Witness those ancient empires of the earth, 
In height of all their flowing wealth dissolv'd: 
But men endu'd with these have oft attain'd 
In lowest poverty to highest deeds ; 
Gideon and Jephtha, and the shepherd lad, 
Whose offspring on the throne of Judah sat 
So many ages, and shall yet regain 
That seat, and reign in Israel without end. 
Among the Heathen, (for throughout the world 
To me is not unknown what hath been done 
Worthy of memorial,) canst thou not remember 
Quintius, Fabricius, Curius, Regulus ? 
For I esteem those names of men so poor 
Who could do mighty things, and could contemn 
Riches, though offer'd from the hand of kings. 
And what in me seems wanting but that I 



BOOK n.] PARADISE REGAINED. 3l 

May also in this poverty as soon 

Accomplish what they dfd perhaps, and more ? 

Extol not riches then, the toil of fools. 

The wise man's cumbrance, if not snare, more apt 

To slacken virtue, and abate her edge, 

Than prompt her to do aught may merit praise. 

What if with like aversion I reject 

Riches and realms ; yet not for that, a crown 

Golden in show, is but a wreath of thorns. 

Brings dangers, troubles, cares, and sleepless nights 

To him who wears the regal diadem, 

When on his shoulders each man's burden lies ; 

For therein stands the office of a king, 

His honour, virtue, merit, and chief praise, 

That for the public all this weight he bears, 

Yet he who reigns within himself, and rules 

Passions, desires, and fears, is more a king ; 

Which every wise and virtuous man attains ; 

And who attains not, ill aspires to rule 

Cities of men, or headstrong multitudes. 

Subject himself to anarchy within, 

Or lawless passions in him which he serves. 

But to guide nations in the way of truth 

By saving doctrine, and from error lead 

To know, and knowing, worship God aright, 

Is yet more kingly : this attracts the soul, 

Governs the inner man, the nobler part; 

That other o'er the- body only reigns. 

And oft by force, -^ich to a generous mind 

So Vvi^mar, can be no sincere delight. 

iSesiuefc,, .c give a kingdom hath been thought 

Greater and nobler done, and to lay down 

Far more magnanimous than to assume. 

Riches are needless then, both for themselves, 

And for thy reason why they should be sought, 

To gain a sceptre, oftest better miss'd. 

END OF BOOK SECOr^D. 



J 



'* 



PARADISE REGAINED. 



BOOK III. 



So spake the Son of God, and Satan stood 
A while as mute, confounded what to say, 
What to reply, confuted, and convinc'd 
Of his weak arguing, and fallacious drift ; 
At length, collecting all his serpent wiles, 
With soothing words renew'd, him thus >aocosts : 

I see thou know'st what is of use to know. 
What best to say canst say, to do canst do ; 
Thy actions to thy words accord, thy words 
To thy large heart give utterance due, thy heait 
Contains of good,, wise, just, the perfect shape. 
Should kings and nations from thy mouth consult, 
Thy counsel would be as the oracle 
Urim and Thummim, those oraculous gems 
On Aaron's breast ; or tongue of seers old, 
Infallible : or wert thou sought to deeds 
That might require th' array of war, thy skill 
Of conduct would be such, that all the world 
Could not sustain thy prowess, or subsist 
In battle, though against thy few in arms. 
These godlike virtues wherefore dost thou hide, 
Affecting private life, or more obscure 
In savage wilderness ? wherefore deprive 
All earth her wonder at thy acts, thyself 
The fame and glory, glory the reward 



84 PARADISE REGAINED. [bOOK III. 

That sole excites to high attempts, the fiame 
Of most erected spirits, most temper'd pure 
Etherial, who all pleasures else despise, 
All treasures and all gain esteem as dross, 
And dignities and powers all but the highest ? 
Thy years are ripe, and over-ripe ; the son 
Of Macedonian Philip had ere these 
Won Asia, and the throne of Cyrus held 
At his dispose ; ^''oung Scipio had brought down 
The Carthaginian pride ; young Pompey quell'd 
The Pontic king, and in triumph had rode. 
Yet years, and to ripe years judgment mature, 
Quench not the thirst of glory, but augment. 
Great Julius, whom now all the world admires, 
The more he grew in years, the more inflam'd 
With glory, wept that he had liv'd so long 
Inglorious but thou yet art not too late. 

To whom our Saviour calmly thus replied: 
Thou neither dost persuade me to seek wealth 
For empire's sake, nor empire to affect 
For glory's sake, by all thy argument. 
For what is glory but the blaze of fame. 
The people's praise, if always praise unmix'd ? 
And what the people but a herd confus'd, 
A miscellaneous rabble, who extol 
Things vulgar, and well weigh'd, scarce worth the 

praise ? 
They praise, and they admire they know not what, 
And know not whom, but as one leads the other * 
And what delight to be by such extol'd. 
To live upon their tongues, and be their talk, 
Df whom to be disprais'd were no small praise ' 
His lot who dares be singularly good. 
Th' intelligent among them and the wise 
Are few, and glory scarce of few is rais'd. 
This is true glory and renown, when God 
Looking on th' earth, with approbation marks 
The just man, and divulges him through heaven 
To all his angels, who with true applause 



BOOK Til.] PARADISE REGAINED. 35 

Recount his praises : thus he did to Job, 

When to extend his fame through heaven and earth. 

As thou to thy reproach may'st well remember, 

He ask'd thee, Hast thou seen my servant Job ^ 

Famous he was in heaven, on earth less known ; 

Where glory is false glory, attributed 

To things not glorious, men not worthy of fame. 

They err who count it glorious to subdue 

By conquest far and wide, to over-run 

Large countries, and in field great battles win, 

Great cities by assault : what do these worthies, 

But rob and spoil, burn, slaughter, and enslave 

Peaceable nations neighb'ring or remote. 

Made captive ; yet deserving freedom more 

Than those their conquerors, who leave behind 

Nothing but ruin wheresoe'er they rove, 

And all the flourishing works of peace destroy, 

Then swell with pride, and must be titled gods, 

Great benefactors of mankind, deliverers, 

Worshipp'd with temple, priest, and sacrifice ? 

One is the son of Jove, of Mars the other ; 

Till conqu'ror Death discovers them scarce men, 

Rolling in brutish vices, and deform'd, 

Violent or shameful death their due reward. 

But if there be in glory aught of good, 

It may by means far different be attain'd. 

Without ambition, war, or violence j 

By deeds of peace, by wisdom eminent. 

By patience, temperance : I mention still 

Him whom thy wrongs, with saintly patience borne, 

Made famous in a land and times obscure ; 

Who names not now with honour patient Job ? 

Poor Socrates, (who next more memorable ?) 

By what he taught, and suffer 'd for so doing, 

For truth's sake suffering death unjust, lives now 

Equal in fame to proudest conquerors. 

Vet, if for fame and glory aught be done, 

Aught suffer'd ; if young African for fame 

His wasted country freed from Punic rage. 



3(5 PARADiSE REGAINED* [bOOK HI 

Shall I seek glory then, as vain men seek, 
Oft not deserved ? I seek not mine, but his 
Who sent me, and thereby -witness whence I am. 

To whom the Tempter murm'ring thus replied : 
Think not so slight of glory ; therein least 
Resembling thy great Father : he seeks glory, 
And for his glory all things made, all things 
Orders and governs ; nor content in heaven, 
By all his angels glorified, requires 
Glory from men, from all men, good or bad. 
Wise or unwise, no difference, no exemption ; 
Above all sacrifice, or hallow'd gift, 
Glory he requires, and glory he receives 
Promiscuous from all nations, Jew or Greek, 
Or barbarous, nor exception hath declar'd : 
From us his foes pronounc'd, glory he exacts. 

To whom our Saviour fervently replied : 
And reason ; since his Wbrd all things produc'd, 
Though chiefly not for glory as prime end, 
But to show forth his goodness, and impart 
His good communicable to every soul 
Freely ; of whom what could he less expect 
Than glory and benediction, that is, thanks, 
The slightest, easiest, readiest recompense 
From them who could return him nothing else, 
And not returning that, would likeliest render 
Contempt instead, dishonour, obloquy? 
Hard recompense, unsuitable return 
For so much good, so much beneficence, 
But why should man seek glory, who of his own 
Hath nothing, and to whom nothing belongs 
But condemnation, ignominy, and shame ? 
Who, for so many benefits receiv'd, 
Turn'd recreant to God, ingrate and false, 
And so of all true good himself despoil'd ; 
Yet sacrilegious, to himself would take 
That which to God alone of right belongs 



BOOK III.] PARADISE KEGAI^'EI>. 37 

Yet so much bounty is in God, such grace, 
That, who advance his glory not their own, 
Them he himself to glory will advance. 

So spake the Son of God : and here again 
Satan had not to answer, bnt stood struck 
With guilt of his own sin, for he himself, 
Insatiable of glory, had lost all : 
Yet of another plea bethought him soon. 

Of glor^r, as thou wilt, said he, so deem ; 
Worth or not worth the seeking, let it pass : 
But to a kingdom thou art born, ordain'd 
To sit upon thy father David's throne : 
By mother's side thy father : though thy right 
Be now in powerful hands, that will not part 
Easily from possession won with arms : 
Judea now, and all the promis'd land, 
Reduc'd a province under Roman yoke, 
Obeys Tiberius : nor is always rul'd 
With temp'rate sway ; oft have they violated 
The temple, oft the law with foul affronts, 
Abominations rather, as did once 
Antiochus : and think'st thou to regain 
Thy right by sitting still, or thus retiring ? 
So did not Maccabeus : he indeed 
Hetir'd into the desert but with arms : 
And o'er a mighty king so oft prevail'd, 
That by strong hand his family obtain'd, 
Tho' priests, the crown, and David's throne usurp'd. 
With Modin and her suburbs once content. 
If kingdom move thee not, let move thee zeal 
And duty ; zeal and duty are not slow ; 
But on occasion's forelock watchful wait« 
They themselves rather are occasion best, 
Zeal of thy Father's house, duty to free 
Thy country from her heathen servitude ; 
So shalt thou best fulfil, best verify 
The prophets old, who sung thy endless xeign ; 
The happier reign the sooner it begins : 
Reign then ; what canst thou better do the whilo » 



38 PARADISE EEGAINED. [BOOK III. 

To whom our Saviour answer thus return*d : 
All things are best fulfill'd in their due time, 
And time there is for all things truth hath said. 
If of my reign prophetic writ hath told 
That it should never end, so when begin 
The Father in his purpose hath decreed, 
He in whose hand all times and seasons roll. 
What if he hath decreed that I shall first 
Be tried in humble state, and things adverse, 
By tribulations, injuries, insults. 
Contempts and scorns, and snares, and violence, 
Suffering, abstaining, quietly expecting, 
Without distrust or doubt, that he may know 
What I can suffer, how obey ? Who best 
Can suffer, best can do ; best reign, who first 
Well hath obey'd ; just trial ere I merit 
My exaltation without change or end. 
But what concerns it thee when I begin 
My everlasting kingdom, why art thou 
Solicitous, what moves thy inquisition ? 
Know'st thou not that my rising is thy fall, 
And my promotion will be thy destruction ? 

To whom the Tempter, inly rack'd, replied : 
Let that come when it comes ; all hope is lost 
Of my reception into grace ; what worse ? 
For where no hope is left, is left no fear : 
If there be worse, the expectation more 
Of worse torments me than the feeling can. 
I would be at the worst ; worst is my port, 
My harbour, and niy ultimate repose, 
The end I would attain, my final good. 
My error was my error, and my crime 
My crime ; whatever for itself condemn'd, 
And will alike be punish'd, whether thou 
Reign or reign not ; though to that gentle brow 
Willingly I could fly, and hope thy reign. 
From that placid aspect and meek regard, 
Rather than aggravate my evil state, 
Would stand between me and thy Father'* ire, 



dOOK III.] PARADISE REGAINED. 39 

(Whose ire I dreaa more than the fire of hell,) 

A shelter, and a kind of shading cool 

Interposition, as a summer's cloud. 

If I then to the worst that can be haste, 

Why move thy feet so slow to what is best, 

Happiest both to thyself, and all the world, 

That thou who worthiest art shouldst be their King 

Perhaps thou linger'st in deep thoughts detain'd 

Of th' enterprise so hazardous and high ; 

No wonder ; for though in thee be united 

What of perfection can in man be found, 

Or human nature can receive, consider 

Thy life hath yet been private, most part spent 

At home, scarce view'd the Galilean towns, 

And once a year Jerusalem, few days 

Short sojourn ; and what thence couldst thou observe ! 

The world thou hast not seen, much less her glory, 

Empires, and monarchs, and their radiant courts, 

Best school of best experience, quickest insight 

In all things that to greatest actions lead. 

The wisest, unexperienc'd will be ever 

Timorous and loath, with novice modesty, 

(As he who seeking asses found a kingdom,) 

Irresolute, unhardy, unadvent'rous : 

But I will bring thee where thou soon shall quit 

Those rudiments, and see before thine eyes 

The monarchies of th' earth, their pomp and state, 

Sufficient introduction to inform 

Thee, of thyself so apt in regal arts, 

And regal mysteries, that thou may'st know 

How best their opposition to withstand. 

With that (such power was given him then) he lock 

The Son of God up to a mountain high. 

It was a mountain at whose verdant feet 

A spacious plain, outstretch'd in circuit wide, 

Lay pleasant ; from his side two rivers flow'd, 

Th' one winding, th' other straight, and left between 

Fair champaign, with less rivers interven'd, 

Then meeting, join'd their tribute to the sep j 



40 PARADISE REGAINED. [bOOK IH. 

Fertile of corn the glebe, of oil and wine ; 

With herds the pastures throng'd, with flocks the 

hills; 
Huge cities, and high tower'd, that well might seem 
The seats of mightiest monarchs ; and so large 
The prospect was, that here and there was room 
For barren desert, fountainless and dry. 
To this high mountain top the Tempter brought 
Our Saviour, and new train of words began : 

Well have we speeded, and o'er hill and dale, 
Forest, and field, and flood, temples and towers, 
Cut shorter many a league; here thou behold'st 
Assyria and her empire's ancient bounds, 
Araxes and the Caspian lake ; thence on 
As far as Indus east, Euphrates west. 
And oft beyond; to south the Persian bay, 
And inaccessible the Arabian drouth : 
Here Nineveh, of length Avithin her wall 
Several days journey, built by Ninus old. 
Of that first golden monarchy the seat. 
And seat of Salmanassar, whose success 
Israel in long captivity still mourns ; 
There Babylon, the wonder of all tongues, 
As ancient, but rebuilt by him who twice 
Judah and all thy father David's house 
Led captive, and Jerusalem laid waste. 
Till Cyrus set them free ; Persepolis 
His city there thou seest, and Bactra there : 
Ecbatana her structure vast there showsj 
And Hecatompylos her hundred gates ; 
There Susa by Choaspes' amber stream, 
The drink of none but kings : of later fame, 
Built by Emathian, or by Parthian hands. 
The great Seleucia, Nisibis : and there 
Artaxata, Teredon, Ctesiphcn, 
Turning with easy eye thou may'st behold. 
All these the Parthian, now some ages past, 
By great Arsaces led, who founded first 
That empire, under his dominion holds, 



BOOK in.] rAKADlSE KEGAINEJJ. 41 

From the luxurious kings of AntiQch won. 

And just in time thou com'st to have a vie^y 

Of his great power ; for now the Parthian king 

In Ctesiphon hath gather'd all his host 

Against the Scythian, whose incursions wild 

Have wasted Sogdiana ; to her aid 

He marches now in haste ; see, though from far 

His thousands, in what martial equipage 

They issue forth, steel bows and shafts their arms ; 

Of equal dread in flight, or in pursuit ; 

All horsemen, in which fight they most excel ; 

See how in warlike muster they appear, 

In rhombs and wedges, and half-moons, and wingst 

He look'd, and saw what numbers numberless 
The city gates out-pour'd, light armed troops 
In coats of mail and military pride ; 
In mail their horses clad, yet fleet and strong, 
Prancing their riders bore, the flower and choice 
Of many provinces from bound to bound ; 
From Arachosia, from Candaor east. 
And Margiana, to the Hyrcanian clifis 
Of Caucasus, -and dark Iberian dales ; 
From Atropatia, and the neighb'ring plains 
Of Adiabene, Media, and the south 
Of Susiana, to Balsara's heaven. 
He saw them in their forms of batde rang'd, 
How quick they wheel'd, and flying behind them shot 
Sharp sleet of arrowy showers against the face 
Of their pursuers, and overcame by flight ; 
The field, all iron, cast a gleaming brown ; 
Nor wanted clouds of foot, nor on each horn 
Cuirassiers all in steel for standing fight, 
Chariots or elephants indors'd with tqwejs 
Of archers, nor of lab'ring pionee-rs 
A multitude, with spades and axes arm'd 
To lay hills plain, fell woods, or valleys fill, 
Or where plain was, raise hill, or overlay 
With bridges rivers proud, as with a yoke; 



42 PARADISE REGAINED. [boOK III. 

Mules after these, camels and dromedaries, 
And wagons fraught with utensils of war. 
Such forces met not, nor so wide a camp. 
When Agrican with all his northern powers 
Besieg'd Albracca, as romances tell, 
The city of Gallaphrone, from whence to win 
The fairest of her sex Angelica 
His daughter, sought by many prowest knights, 
Both Paynim, and the peers of Charlemaine. 
Such and so numerous was their chivalry : 
At sight whereof the fiend yet more presum'd. 
And to our Saviour thus his words renew'd : 

That thou may'st know I seek not to engage 
Thy virtue, and not every way secure 
On no slight grounds thy safety ; hear, and mark 
To what end I have brought thee hither, and shown 
All this fair sight : thy kingdom, though foretold 
By prophet or by angel, unless thou 
Endeavour, as thy father David did, , 
Thou never shalt obtain ; prediction still 
In all things, and all m.en, supposes means ; 
"Without means us'd, what it predicts revokes. 
But say thou wert possess'd of Da'/id's throne 
By free consent of all, none opposite, 
Samaritan or Jew ; how couldst thou hope 
Long to enjoy it quiet and secure, 
Between two such enclosing enemies 
Roman and Parthian ? therefore one of these 
Thou must make sure thy own, the Parthian first, 
By my advice, as nearer, and of late 
Found able by invasion to annoy 
Thy country, and captive lead away her kings . 
Antigonus, and old Hyrcanus bound, 
Maugre the Roman ; it shall be my task 
To render thee the Parthian at dispose : 
Choose which thou wilt, by conquest or by league. 
By him thou shalt regain, without him not, 
That which alone can truly reinstall thee 
In David's royal seat, his true SLiccessor, 



[book III. PARADISE REGAINED. 4S 

Deliverance of thy brethren, those ten tribes 
Whose offspring in his territory yet serve, 
In Habor, and among the Medes dispers'd ; 
Ten sons of Jacob, two of Joseph lost 
Thus long from Israel, serving, as of old 
Their fathers in the land of Egypt serv'd, 
This offer sets before thee to deliver. 
These if from servitude thou shalt restore 
To their inheritance, then, nor till then, 
Thou on the throne of David in full glory, 
From Egypt to Euphrates and beyond, 
Shalt reign, and Rome or Csesar need not fear. 

To whom our Saviour answer'd thus, unmov'd : 
Much ostentation vain of fleshly arm, 
And fragile arms, much instrument of war 
Long in preparing, soon to nothing brought, 
Before mine eyes thou hast set : and in my ear 
Vented much policy, and projects deep 
Of enemies, of aids, battles and leagues, 
Plausible to the world, to me w^orth nought. 
Means I must use thou say'st, prediction else 
Will unpredict, and fail me of the throne : 
My time I told thee (and that time for thee 
Were better farthest off) is not yet come : 
When that comes, think not thou to find me slack 
On my part aught endeav'ring, or to need 
Thy politic maxims, or that cumbersome 
Luggage of war there shown me, argument 
Of human weakness rather than of strength. 
My brethren, as thou call'st them, those ten tribes, 
I must deliver, if I mean to reign 
David's true heir, and his full sceptre sway 
To just extent over all Israel's sons ; 
But whence to thee this zeal, where was it then 
For Isreal or for David, or his throne. 
When thou stood'st up his tempter to the pride 
Of numb'ring Israel, which cost the lives 
Of threescore and ten thousand Israelites 
By three days' pestilence ? such was thy zeal 



44 PARADISE REGAlNfiD. t^OOJ^ UL 

To Israel then, the same that now to me. 

As for those captive tribes, themselves were they 

"Who wrought their own captivity, fell off 

From God to worship calves, the deities 

Of Egypt, Baal next and Ashtaroth, 

And all th' idolatries of Heathen round, 

Besides their other worse than heath'nish crimes ; 

Nor in the land of their captivity 

Humbled themselves, or penitent besought 

The God of their forefathers ; but so died 

Impenitent, and left a race behind 

Like to themselves, distinguishable scarce 

From Gentiles, but by circumcision vain, 

And God with idols to their worship join'd. 

Should I of these the liberty regard. 

Who freed as to their ancient patrimony, 

Unhumbled, unrepentant, unreform'd, 

Headlong would follow ; and to their gods pernapi 

Of Bethel and of Dan ? no, let them serve 

Their enemies who serve idols with God. 

Yet he at length, time to himself best known, 

Rememb'ring Abraham, by some wonderous call 

May bring them back repentent and sincere, 

And at their passing cleave th' Assyrian flood, 

While to their native land with joy they haste. 

As the Red Sea and Jordan once he cleft, 

When to the promis'd land their fathers pass'd : 

To his due time and providence I leave them. 

So spake Israel's true King, and to the fiend 
Made answer meet, that made void all his wiles : 
So fares it when with truth falshood contends. 



END OF BOOK THIBD. 



PARADISE REGAINED. 



BOOK IV. 



Perplex'd and troubled at his bad success 

The Tempter stood, nor had what to reply, 

Discover'd in his fraud, thrown from his hope 

So oft, and the persuasive rhetoric 

That sleek'd his tongue, and won so much on Eve, 

So little here, nay lost ; but Eve was Eve : 

This far his over-match, who self-deceiv'd 

And rash, beforehand had no better weigh'd 

The strength he was to cope with, or his own : 

But as a man who had been matchless held 

In cunning over-reach'd where least he thought, 

To salve his credit, and for very spite, 

Still will be tempting him who foils him still, 

And never cease, though to his shame the more ; 

Or as a swarm of flies in vintage time, 

About the wine-press where sweet must is pour'd, 

Beat off, returns as oft with humming sound ; 

Dr surging waves against a solid rock ; 

Though all to shivers dash'd, th' assault renew, 

Vain batt'ry, and in froth or bubbles end ; 

So Satan, whom repulse upon repulse 

Met ever, and to shameful silence brought, 

Yet gives not o'er though desperate of success. 

And his vain importunity pursues. 

He brought our Saviour to the western side 



46 PARADISE REGAINED. [bOOK IT 

Of that high mountain, whence he might behold 

Another plain, long, but in breadth not wide, 

Wash'd by the southern sea, and on the north 

To equal length back'd with a ridge of hills, 

That screen'd the fruits of th' earth and seats of met 

From cold Sep^entrion blasts, thence in the midst 

Divided by a river of whose banks 

On each side^ an imperial city stood, 

With towers and temples proudly elevate 

On seven small hills, with palaces adorn'd, 

Porches and theatres, baths, aqueducts. 

Statues and trophies and triumphal arcs, 

Gardens and groves presented to his eyes. 

Above the height of mountains interpos'd , 

By what strange parallax or optic skill 

Of vision, multiplied through air or glass 

Of telescope, were curious to inquire : 

And now the Tempter thus his silence broke : 

The city which thou seest no other deem 
Than great and glorious Kome, queen of the earth 
So far renown'd, and with the spoils enrich'd 
Of nations ; there the capitol thou seest 
Above the rest lifting his stately head 
On the Tarpeian rock, her citadel 
Impregnable ; and there Mount Palatine, 
Th' imperial palace, compass huge, and high 
The structure, skill of noblest architects. 
With gilded battlements, conspicuous far. 
Turrets and terraces, and glitt'ring spires. 
Many a fair edifice besides, more like 
Houses of gods, (so well I have dispos'd 
My airy microscope,) thou may'st behold 
Outside and inside both, pillars and roofs, 
Carv'd work, the hand of fam'd artificers 
In cedar, marble^ ivory or gold : 
Thence to the gates cast round thine eye and see 
What conflux issuing forth, or entering in ; 
PraBtors, proconsuls to their provinces 
Hasting, or on return, in robes of 5tat© 



BOOK IV.] PARADISE REGAINED. 47 

Lictors and rods, the ensigns of their power, 

Legions and cohorts, turms of horse and wings : 

Or embassies from regions far remote 

In various habits, on the Appian road, 

Or on th' Emilian ; some from farthest south, 

Syene, and where the shadow both way falls, 

Meroe Nilotic isle, and more to west. 

The realm of Bocchus to the Black-moor sea ; 

From th' Asian kings and Parthian among these, 

From India and the golden Chersonese^ 

And utmost Indian Isle Taprobane, 

Dusk faces with white silken turbans wreath'd ; 

From Gallia, Gades, and the British west ; 

Germans and Scythians, and Sarmathians north, 

Beyond Danubius to the Tauric pool. 

All nations now to Rome obedience pa}'', 

To Rome's great emperor, whose wide domain, 

In ample territory, wealth and power. 

Civility of manners arts and arms. 

And long renown, thou justly may'st prefer, 

Before the Parthian ; these two thrones except, 

The rest are barb'rous, and scarce worth the sight, 

Shar'd among petty kings too far remov'd: 

These having shown thee, I have shown thee all 

The kingdoms of the world, and all their glory. 

This emp'ror hath no son, and now is old, 

Old and lascivious, and from Rome retir'd 

To Caprae, an island small but strong. 

On the Campanian shore, with purpose there 

His horrid lust in private to enjoy. 

Committing to a wicked favourite 

All public cares, and yet of him suspicious ; 

Hated of all, and hating ; with what ease, 

Endu'd with regal virtues, as thou art, 

Appearing, and beginning noble deeds. 

Might'st thou expel this monster from his throne, 

Now made a st}^ and in his place ascending, 

A victor people free from servile yoke ? 

And with my help thou mayst : to me the power 



48 PARADISE REGAINED. [bOOK IV. 

Is given, and by that right I give it thee. 
Aim, therefore, at no less than all the world ; 
Aim at the highest ; Avithout the highest attain'd 
Will be for thee no sitting, or not long 
On David's throne, be prophesied what will. 

To whom the Son of God, immov'd, replied : 
Nor doth this grandeur, and majestic show 
Of luxury, though call'd magnificence, 
More than of arms before, allure mine eye, 
Much less my mind ; though thou shouldst add to tell 
Their sumptuous gluttonies, and gorgeous feasts, 
On citron tables or Atlantic stone, 
(For I have also heard, perhaps have read,) 
Their wines of Setia, Gales, and Falerne, 
Ghios, and Grete, and how they quaff in gold. 
Crystal and myrrhine cups, imboss'd with gems 
And studs of pearl ; to me shouldst tell who thirst 
And hunger still : then embassies thou show'st 
From nations far and nigh : what honour that, 
But tedious waste of time, to sit and hear 
So many hollow compliments and lies, 
Outlandish flatteries ? Then proceed'st to talk 
Of th' emperor, how easily subdu'd, 
How gloriously : I shall, thou say'st, expel 
A brutish monster : what if I withal 
Expel a devil who first made him such ? 
Let his tormentor conscience, find him out ; 
For him I was not sent ; nor yet to free 
That people, victor once, now vile and base, 
Deservedly made vassal, who once just, 
Frugal and mild, and temp'rate, conquer'd well, 
But govern ill the nations under yoke. 
Peeling their provinces, exhausted all 
By lust and rapine ? first ambitious grown 
Of triumph, that insulting vanity ; 
Then cruel, by their sports to blood inur'd 
Of fighting beasts, and men to beasts expos'd ; 
Luxurious by their wealth, and greedier still, 
And from the daily scene effeminate, 



BOOK IV.] PARADISE REGAINED. 49 

What wise and valiant man would seek to free 
These thus degenerate, by themselves enslav'd, 
Or could of ii .ward slaves, make outward free ? 
Know, therefore, when my season comes to sit 
On David's throne, it shall be like a tree 
Spreading and overshadowing all the earth ; 
Or as a stone that shall to peices dash 
All monarchies besides throughout the world ; 
And of my kingdom there shall be no end : 
Means there shall be to this ; but what the means, 
Is not for thee to know, nor me to tell. 
To whom the Tempter impudent replied : 

I see all offers made by me how slight 
Thou valuest, because offer'd, and reject'st : 
Nothing wjl] please the difficult and nice, 
Or nothing more than still to contradict : 
On th' other side know also thou, that I 
On what I offer set as high esteem, 
Nor what I part with mean to give for naught ; 
All these, which in a moment thou behold'st, 
The kingdoms of the world to thee I give ; 
For, given to me, I give to whom I please ; 
No trifle ; yet with this reserve, not else, 
On this condition, if thou Avilt fall down, 
And worship me as thy superior lord, 
Easily done, and hold them all of me ; 
For what can less so great a gift deserve ? 

Whom thus our Saviour answer'd with disdain : 
I never lik'd thy talk, thy offers less : 
Now both abhor, since thou hast dar'd to utter 
Th' abominable terms, impious condition ; 
But I endure the time, till which expir'd. 
Thou hast permission on me. It is written 
The first of all commandments, Thou shalt worship 
The Lord thy God, and only Him shalt serve ; 
And dar'st thou to the Son of God propound 
To worship thee accurs'd, now more accurs'd 
For this attempt, bolder than that on Eve, 
And more blasphemous ? which expect to rue. 



60 PARADISE REGAINED. [bOOK IV 

The kingdoms of the world to thee were given, 

Permitted rather, and by thee usurp'd ; 

Other donation none thou canst produce. 

If given, by whom, but by the King of kin gs, 

God over all supreme ? if given to thee, 

By thee how fairly is the giver now 

Eepaid ? But gratitude in thee is lost 

\ong since. Wert thou so void of fear or shame, 

As offer them to me, the Son of God, 

To me my own, on such abhorred pact, 

That I fall down and worship thee as God ? 

Get theQ behind me ; plain thou now appear'st 

That evil one Satan ; for ever damn'd. 

To whom the fiend, with fear abash'd, replied : 
Be not so sore offended. Son of God, 
(Though sons of God both angels are and men,) 
If I, to try whether in higher sort 
Than these thou bear'st that title, have propos'd 
What both from men and angels I receive, 
Tetrarchs of fire, air, flood, and on the earth 
Nations besides from all the quarter'd winds, 
God of this world invok'd, and world beneath : 
Who then thou art, whose coming is foretold 
To me so fatal, me it most concerns. 
The trial hath indamag'd thee no way, 
Rather more honour left and more esteem ; 
Me nought advantag'd, missing what I aim'd, 
Therefore let pass, as they are transitory. 
The kingdoms of this world ; I shall no more 
Advise thee ; gain them as thou canst, or not. 
And thou thyself seem'st otherwise inclin'd 
Than to a worldly crown, addicted more 
To contemplation and profound dispute. 
As by that early action may be judg'd, 
When, slipping from thy mother's eye, thou went'st 
Alone into the temple ; there was found 
Among the gravest Rabbies, disputant 
On points and questions fitting Moses' chair ; 
Teaching, not taught ; the childhood shows the man, 



BOOK IV.] PARADISE REGAINED- 61 

As morning shows the day. Be famous then 

By wisdom ; as thy empire must extend 

So let extend thy mind o'er all the world 

In knowledge, all things in it comprehend : 

All knowledge is not couch'd in Moses' law, 

The Pentateuch, or what the prophets wrote ; 

The Gentiles also know, and write and teach 

To admiration, led by nature's light ; 

And with the Gentiles much thou must converse, 

Ruling them by persuasion, as thou meanest. 

Without their learning how wilt thou with them, 

Or they with thee, hold conversation meet ? 

How wilt thou reason with them, how refute 

Their idolisms, traditions, paradoxes ? 

Error by his own arms is best evinc'd. 

Look once more, ere we leave this specular mount, 

Westward, much nearer by south-west ; behold 

Where on th' jEgean shore a city stands 

Built nobly, pure the air, and light the soil, 

Athens, the eye of Greece, mother of arts 

And eloquence, native to famous wits, 

Or hospitable, in her sweet recess, 

City, or suburban, studious walks and shades ; 

See there the olive grove of Academe, 

Plato's retirement, where the attic bird 

Trills her thick-warbled notes the summer long ; 

There flowery hill Hymettus with the sound 

Of bees, industrious murmur oft invites 

To studious musing; there Ilissus rolls 

His whisp'ring stream : within the walls then view 

The schools of ancient sages ; his who bred 

Great Alexander to subdue the world; 

Lyceum there, and painted Stoa next : 

There thou shalt hear and learn the secret power 

Of harmony, in tones and numbers hit 

By voice or hand, and various-measur'd verse 

JEolian charms and Dorian lyric odes, 

And his who gave them breath, but higher sung, 

Blind Melesigenes, thence Homer call'd, 



62 PARADISE REGAINED. [bOOK IT 

Whose poem PhoBbus challeng'd for his own. 

Thence what the lofty grave tragedians taught 

In chorus or iambic, teachers best 

Of moral prudence, with delight receiv'd 

In brief sententious precepts, while they treat 

Of fate, and chance, and change in human life; 

High actions, and high passions best describing. 

Thence to the famous orators repair. 

Those ancient, whose resistless eloquence 

Wielded at will that fierce democratie, 

Shook th' arsenal, and fulmin'd over Greece 

To Macedon and Artaxerxes throne. 

To sage philosophy next lend thine ear, 

From heaven descended to the low-roof'd house, 

Of Socrates ; see there his tenement. 

Whom, well iespir'd the oracle pronoune'd 

Wisest of men ; from whose mouth issued forth 

Mellifluous streams, that water'd all the schools 

Of Academics old and new, with those 

Surnam'd Peripatetics, and the sect 

Epicurean, and the Stoic severe ; 

These here revolve, or, as thou lik'st at home 

Till time mature thee to a kingdom's weight ; 

These rules will render thee a king complete 

Within thyself; much more with empire join'd. 

To whom our Saviour sagely thus replied : 
Think not but that I know these things, or think 
I know them not ; not therefore am I short 
Of knowing what I ought : he who receives 
Light from above, from the fountain of light, 
No other doctrine needs, though granted true ; 
But these are false, or little else but dreams, 
Conjectures, fancies, built on nothing firm. 
The first and wisest of them all profess'd 
To know this only, that he nothing knew ; 
The next to fabling fell and smooth conceits ; 
A third sort doubted all things, though plain sense ; 
Others in virtue plac'd felicity, 



BOOK IV.1 PARADISE REGAINED. 63 

But virtue join'd with riches and long life ; 

In corporal pleasure he, and careless ease : 

The Stoic last in philosophic pride, 

By him call'd virtue ; and his virtuous man, 

Wise, perfect in himself, and all possessing. 

Equals to God, oft shames not to prefer ; 

4s fearing God nor man, contemning all 

Wealth, pleasure, pain or torment, death and life, 

Wliich, when he lists, he leaves, or boasts he can. 

For all his tedious talk is but vain boast, 

Or subtle shifts conviction to evade. 

Mas, what can they teach, and not mislead, 

[gnorant of themselves, of God much more, 

And how the world began, and how man fell, 

Degraded by himself, on grace depending ? 

Much of the soul they talk, but all awry, 

And in themselves seek virtue, and to themselves 

All glory arrogate, to God give none, 

Rather accuse him under usual names, 

Fortune and fate, as one regardless quite 

Of mortal things. "Who therefore seeks in these 

True wisdom, finds her not ; or, by delusion 

Far worse, her false resemblance only meets. 

An empty cloud. However, many books, 

Wise men have said, are wearisome : who reads 

Incessantly, and to his reading brings not 

A spirit and judgment equal or superior, 

(And what he brings, what needs he else where seek 

Uncertain and unsettled still remains, 

Deep vers'd in books and shallow in himself, 

Crude or intoxicate, collecting toys, 

And trifles for choice matters, worth a sponge ; 

As children gathering pebbles on the shore. 

Or if I would delight my private hours 

With music or with poem, where so soon 

As in our native language can I find 

That solace ? All our law and story strew'd 

With hymns, our psalms with artful terms mscrib'd, 

Our Hebrew songs and harps in Babylon, 



fyi f ARAm&£ REGAINED. [boOX IT. 

That pleas'd so well our victor's ear, declare 

That rather Greece from us these arts deriv'd ; 

111 imitated, while they loudest sing 

The vices of their deities, and their own, 

In fable, hymn, or song, so personating 

Their gods ridiculous, and themselves past shame. 

Remove their swelling epithets, thick laid 

As varnish on a harlot's cheek, the rest, 

Thin sown with aught of profit or delight, 

Will far be found unworthy to compare 

With Sion's songs, to all true tastes excelling, 

Where God is prais'd aright, and godlike men, 

The holiest of holies, and his saints ; 

Such are from God inspir'd ; not such from thee, 

Unless where moral virtue is express'd 

By light of nature not in all quite lost. 

Their orators thou then extoll'st, as those 

The top of eloquence ; statists, indeed. 

And lovers of their country, as may seem : 

But herein to our profits far beneath, 

As men divinely taught, and better teaching 

The solid rules of civil government. 

In their majestic unaffected style, 

Than all the oratory of Greece and Rome. 

In them is plainest taught, and easiest learn'd, 

What makes a nation happy, and keeps it so ; 

What ruins kingdoms, and lays cities flat : 

These only with our law best form a king. 

So spake the son of God : but Satan now. 
Quite at a loss, for all his darts were spent. 
Thus to our Saviour with stern brow replied : 

Since neither wealth, nor honour, arms nor arts, 
Kingdom nor empire, pleases thee, nor aught 
By me propos'd in life contemplative. 
Or active, tended on by glory, or fame. 
What dost thou in this world ? the wilderness 
For thee is fittest place ; I found thee there, 
And thither will return thee ; yet remember 
What I foretel thee ; soon thou shalt have cause 



BOOK IV.] PARADISE REGAINED. 66 

To wish thou never hadst rejected thus 

Nicely or cautiously my ofFer'd aid, 

Which would have set thee in short time with ease 

On David's throne, or throne of all the world, 

Now at full age, fulness of time, thy season, 

When prophecies of thee are best fulfUl'd. 

Now contrary, if I read aught in heaven, 

Or heaven write aught of fate, by what the stars 

Voluminous, or single characters, 

In their conjunction met, give me to spell ; 

Sorrows and labours, opposition, hate 

Attends thee, scorns, reproaches, injuries. 

Violence and stripes, and lastly, cruel death : 

A kingdom they portend thee, but what kingdom 

Real or allegoric, I discern not, 

Nor when, eternal sure, as without end. 

Without beginning ; for no date prefix'd 

Directs me in the starry rubric set. 

So saying, he took (for still he knew his power 
Not yet expir'd) and to the wilderness 
Brought back the Son of God, and left him there, 
Feigning to disappear. Darkness now rose. 
As day-light sunk, and brought in lowering night, 
Her shadowy offspring, unsubstantial both, 
Privation mere of light and absent day. 
Our Saviour, meek, and with untroubled mind, 
After his airy jaunt, though hurried sore, 
Hungry and cold, betook him to his rest, 
*Vherever, under some concourse of shades. 
Whose branching arms thick intertwin'd might shield, 
From dews and damps of night his shelter'd head, 
But shelter'd slept in vain ; for at his head 
The Tempter watch'd, and soon with ugly dreams 
Disturb'd his sleep : and either tropic now 
'Gan thunder, and both ends of heaven, the clouds, 
From many a horrid rift abortive, pour'd 
Fierce rain with lightning mix'd, water with fire 
In ruin reconcil'd : nor slept the winds 
Within their stony caves, but rush'd abroad 



56 tARAWSE REGAINED. [BOOK IT 

From the four hinges of the world, and fell 
On the vex'd Avilderness, whose tallest pines, 
Though rooted deep as high, and sturdiest oaks, 
Bow'd their stiff necks, loaded with stormy blasts, 
Or torn up sheer ; ill wast thou shrouded then, 
O patient Son of God, yet only stood'st 
Unshaken : nor yet stay'd the terror there ; 
Infernal ghosts and hellish furies round 
Environ'd thee ; some howl'd. some yell'd, some 

shriek'd, 
Some bent at thee their fiery darts, while thou 
Sat'st unappall'd in calm and sinless peace : 
Thus pass'd the night so foul, till morning fair 
Come forth with pilgrim steps in amice gray, 
Who with her radiant finger still'd the roar 
Of thunder, chas'd the clouds, and laid the winds, 
And grisly spectres, which the fiend had rais'd 
To tempt the Son of God with terrors dire. 
And now the sun with more effectual beams 
Had cheer'd the face of earth, and dried the wet 
From drooping plant, or drooping tree ; the birds, 
"Who all things now behold more fresh and green 
After a night of storm so ruinous, 
Clear'd up their choicest notes in bush and spray, 
To gratulate the sweet return of morn : 
Nor yet amidst this joy and brightest morn 
Was absent, after all his mischief done, 
The Prince of Darkness glad would also seem 
Of this fair change, and to our Saviour came, 
Yet with no new device, they all were spent : 
Rather by this his last affront resolv'd, 
Desp'rate of better course, to vent his rage 
A.nd mad despite to be so oft repell'd. 
Him walking on a sunny hill he found, 
Back'd on the north and west by a thick wood; 
Out of the wood he starts in wonted shape. 
And in a careless mood thus to him said : 

Fair morning yet betides thee, Son of God, 
After a dismal night : I heard the wrack 



BOOX lY.' PARADISE REGAINED. 57 

As earth and sky would mingle ; but myself 
Was distant ; and these flaws, though mortals fear 

them 
As dang'rous to the pillar'd frame of heaven, 
Or to the earth's dark basis underneath, 
Are to the main as inconsiderable 
And harmless, if not wholesome, as a sneeze 
To man's less universe, and soon are gone ; 
Yet as being oft times noxious where they light 
On man, beast, plant, wastful and turbulent, 
Like turbulencies in th' affairs of men, 
Over whose heads they roar and seem to point, 
They oft fore-signify and threaten ill : 
This tempest at this desert most was bent ; 
Of men at thee, for only thou here dwell'st. 
Did I not tell thee, if thou didst reject 
The perfect season offer'd with my aid 
To win thy destin'd seat, but wilt prolong 
All to the push of fate pursue thy way. 
Of gaining David's throne no man knows when, 
For both the when and how is no where told, 
Thou shalt be what thou art ordain'd, no doubt ; 
For angels have proclaim'd it, but concealing 
The time and means : each act is rightliest done. 
Not when it must, but when it may be best. 
If thou observe not this, be sure to find 
What I foretold thee, many an hard assay 
Of dangers, and adversities, and pains, 
Ere thou of Israel's sceptre get fast hold ; 
Whereof this ominous night that clos'd thee round, 
So many terrors, voices, prodigies. 
May warn thee, as a sure foregoing sign. 

So talk'd he while the Son of God went on. 
And stay'd not, but in brief him annwer'd thus : 

Me worse than wet thou find'st not ; other harm 
Those terrors which thou speak'st of did me none ; 
I never fear'd they could, though noising loud. 
And threat'ning nigh ; what they can do as signs 
Betokening, or ill-boding, I contemn 



68 PARADISE REG>WED. [bOOK IV. 

As false portents, not sent from God, but thee : 
Who knowing I shall reign past thy preventing, 
Obtrud'st thy ofFer'd aid, that I accepting 
At least might seem to hold all power of thee, 
Ambitious spirit, and wouldst be thought my God 
And storm'st refus'd, thinking to terrify 
Me to thy will : desist, thou art discern'd 
And toil'st in vain, nor me in vain molest. 

To whom the fiend, now swoln with rage, replied 
Then hear, O Son of David, Virgin-born ; 
For Son of God to me is yet in doubt ; 
Of the Messiah I have heard foretold 
By all the prophets : of thy birth, at length 
Announc'd by Gabriel, with the first I knew, 
And of th' angelic song in Bethlehem field. 
On thy birth-night, that sung thee Saviour born. 
From that time seldom have I ceas'd to eye 
Thy infancy, thy childhood, and thy youth, 
Thy manhood last, though yet in private bred ; 
Till at the ford of Jordan, whither all 
t'lock to the Baptist, I among the rest 
5?hough not to be baptiz'd, by voice from heaven 
Heard thee pronounc'd, the Son of God belov'd. 
Thenceforth I thought thee worth my nearer view 
And narrower scrutiny, that I might learn 
In what degree or meaning thou art call'd 
The Son of God, which bears no single sense : 
The Son of God I also am, or was ; 
And if I was, I am ; relation stands : 
All men are sons of God : yet thee I thought 
In some respect far higher so declar'd ; 
Therefore I watch'd thy footsteps from that hour, 
And follow'd thee still on to this waste wild; 
Where by all best conjectures I collect 
Thou art to be my fatal enemy. 
Good reason then, if I beforehand seek 
To understand my adversary, who 
And what he is ; his wisdom, power, intent , 
By parle, or composition, truce, or league, 



lOOK IV.] PARADISE KEGAINED. 60 

To win him, or win from him what I can. 

In opportunity I here have had 

To try thee, sift thee, and confess have found thee 

Proof against all temptation, as a rock 

Of adamant, and as a centre, firm : 

To th' utmost of mere man both wise and good, 

Nor more ; for honours, riches, kingdoms, glory, 

Have been before contemn'd, and may again : 

Therefore to know what more thou art than man, 

Worth naming Son of God by voice from heaven. 

Another method I must now begin. 

So saying, he caught him up, and without wing 
Of hippogrifF, bore through the air sublime 
Over the wilderness and o'er the plain ; 
Till underneath them fair Jerusalem, 
The holy city, lifted high her towers, 
And higher yet the glorious temple rear'd 
Her pile, far off appearing like a mount 
Of alabaster, topp'd with golden spires : 
There on the highest pinnacle he set 
The Son of God, and added thus in scorn : 

There stand, if thou wilt stand ; to stand upright 
Will ask thee skill : I to thy father's house 
Have brought thee, and highest plac'd ; highest is 

best : 
Now show thy progeny ; if not to stand, 
Cast thyself down ; safely, if Son of God : 
For it is written, He will give command 
Concerning thee to his angels, in their hands 
They shall uplift thee, lest at any time 
Thou chance to dash thy foot against a stone. 

To whom thus Jesus : Also it is written, 
Tempt not the Lord thy God : he said, and stood. 
But Satan, smitten v/ith amazement, fell ; 
As when earth's son Antaeus (to compare 
Small things with greatest) in Irassa strove 
With Jove's Alcides, and oft foil'd still rose, 
Receiving from his mother-earth new strength, 
Fresh horn his fall, and fiercer grapple join'd, 



60 PARADISE RE&AINED. [BOOK IV 

Throttled at length in th' air, expir'd and fell; 

So after many a foil the Tempter proud, 

Renewing fresh assaults, amidst his pride, 

Fell whence he stood to see his victor fall. 

And as that Theban monster, that propos'd 

Her riddle, and him who solv'd it not devour'd, 

That once found out and solv'd, for grief and spite 

Cast herself headlong from th' Ismenian steep ; 

So, struck with dread and anguish fell the fiend; 

And to his crew, that sat consulting, brought 

Joyless triumphals of his hop'd success, 

Ruin and desperation, and dismay. 

Who durst so proudly tempt the Son of God. 

So Satan fell ; and straight a fiery globe 

Of angels on full sail of wing flew nigh, 

Who on their plumy vans receiv'd him soft 

From his uneasy station, and upbore 

As on a floating couch through the blithe air, 

Then in a flowery valley set him doAvn 

On a green bank, and set before him spread 

A table of celestial food, divine. 

Ambrosial fruits, fetch'd from the tree of life, 

And from the fount of life ambrosial drink. 

That soon refresh'd him \\rearied, and repair'd, 

What hunger, if aught hunger had impair'd, 

Or thirst ; and as he fed, angelic choirs 

Sung heavenly anthems of his victory 

Over temptation, and the Tempter proud. 

True image of the Father, whether thron'd 
In the bosom of bliss, and light of light 
Conceiving, or remote from heaven, inshrirr'd 
In fleshly tabernacle, and human form, 
Wand'ring the wilderness, whatever place, 
Habit, or state, or motion, still expressing 
The Son of God, with godlike force endu'd 
Against th' attempter of thy Father's throne, 
And thief of Paradise ; him long of old 
Thou didst defeat, and down from heaven cast 
With all his army ; now thou hast aveng'd 



BOOK IV.] PARADISE REGAINED. 61 

Supplanted Adam, and by vanquishing 

Temptation hast regain'd lost Paradise, 

And frustrated the conquest fraudulent; 

He never more henceforth will dare set foot 

In Paradise to tempt : his snares are broke : 

For though that seat of earthly bliss be fail'd, 

A fairer Paradise is founded now 

For Adam and his chosen sons, whom thou 

A Saviour art come down to re-instal. 

Where they shall dwell secure, when time shall be, 

Of tempter and temptation without fear. 

But thou, infernal Serpent, shalt not long 

Rule in the clouds ; like an autumnal star 

Or lightning thou shalt fall from heaven, trod down 

Under his feet : for proof, ere this thou feel'st 

Thy wound, yet not thy last and deadliest wound, 

By this repulse receiv'd, and hold'st in hell 

No triumph : in all her gates Abaddon rues 

Thy bold attempt; hereafter learn with awe 

To dread the Son of God : he, all unarm'd, 

Shall chase thee with the terror of his voice 

From thy demoniac holds, possession foul, 

Thee and thy legions ; yelling they shall fly, 

And beg to hide them in a herd of swine, 

Lest he command them down into the deep 

Bound, and to torment sent before their time. 

Hail Son of the Most High, heir of both worlds, 

Queller of Satan, on thy glorious work 

Now enter, and begin to save mankind. 

Thus they the Son of God, our Saviour meek, 
Sung victor, and from heavenly feast refresh'd, 
Brought on his way with joy ; he, unobserv'd, 
Home to his mother's house private return'd. 

END OF PARADISE REGAINED. 



A MASK 

PRESENTED 

AT LUDLOW CASTLE, 

BEFORE 

THE EARL OF BRIDGEWATER, 

THEN PRESIDENT OF WALES. 



THE PERSONS. 

The attendant Spirit, afterwards in the habit of Thyrsis, 

CoMus with his crew. 

The Lady. 

First Brother. 

Second Brother. 

Sabrina the Nymph. 



The chief persons who presented were, 

The Lord Brackly. 

Mr. Thomas Egerton his brother. 

The Lady Alice Egerton. 



t^ 



t> 



A MASK* 



The first scene discovers a wild wood. 
The attendant Spirit descends or enters. 

Before the starry threshold of Jove's court 

My mansion is, where those immortal shapes 

Of bright aerial spirits live inspher'd 

In regions mild of calm and serene air, 

Above the smoke and stir of this dim spot 

Which men call earth, and with low-thoughted care, 

Confin'd and pester'd in this pin-fold here, 

Strive to keep up a frail and feverish being, 

Unmindful of the crown that virtue gives 

After this mortal change to her true servants 

Amongst the enthron'd gods on sainted seats. 

Yet some there be that by due steps aspire 

To lay their just hands on that golden key. 

That opes the palace of eternity : 

To such my errand is ; and but for such, 

would not soil these pure ambrosial weeds 
With the rank vapours of this sin-worn mould. 

* Milton seems in this poem to have imitated Shakspeare's map- 
ner in more than any other of his works ; and it was very natural 
for a young author preparing a piece for the stage, to propose to 
himself for a pattern, the most celebrated master of English dra- 
matic poetry. He has likewise very closely imitated several passa- 
ges in Beaumont and Fletcher's play of The Faithless Shepher- 



66 MASK OF COMUS. 

But to my task. Neptune, besides the sway 
Of every salt flood, and each ebbing stream, 
Took in by lot 'twixt high and nether Jove, 
Imperial rule of all the sea-girt isles, 
That like to rich and various gems inlay 
The unadorned bosom of the deep. 
Which he to grace his tributary gods 
By course commits to several government, 
And gives them leave to wear their sapphire crowns, 
And wield their little tridents : but this Isle, 
The greatest and the best of all the main, 
He quarters to his blue-hair'd deities ; 
And all this tract that fronts the falling sun 
A noble peer of mickle trust and power 
Has in his charge, with temper'd awe to guide 
An old and haughty nation, proud in arms : 
Where his fair offspring nurs'd in princely lore 
Are coming to attend their father's state. 
And new-intrusted sceptre : but their way 
Lies through the perplex'd paths of this drear wood, 
The nodding horror of whose shady brows 
Threats the forlorn and wand'ring passenger ; 
And here their tender age might suffer peril, 
But that by quick command from sov'reign Jove 
I was despatch'd for their defence and guard: 
And listen why, for I will tell you now 
What never yet was heard in tale or song. 
From old or modern bard, in hall or bower. 

Bacchus, that first from out the purple graps 
Crush'd the sweet poison of misused wine, 
After the Tuscan mariners transform 'd, 
Coasting the Tyrrhene shore, as the wmds listed, 
On Circe's island fell : (Who knows not Circe 
The daughter of the Sun ? whose charmed cup 
Whoever tasted, lost his upright shape, 
And downward fell into a grovelling swine,) 
This Nymph that gaz'd upon his clust'ring locks. 
With ivy-berries wreath'd, and his blithe youth. 



MASK OF COMUS. 67 

Had by him, ere he parted thence, a son, 

Much like his father, but his mother more. 

Whom, therefore, she brought up, and Comus nam'd ; 

Who ripe, and frolic of his full-grown age, 

Koving the Celtic and Iberian fields. 

At last betakes him to this ominous wood. 

And in thick shelter of black shades embower'd 

Excels his mother at her mighty art, 

Offering to every weary traveller. 

His orient liquor in a crystal glass. 

To quench the drouth of Phoebus, which as they taste, 

(For most do taste, through fond intemp'rate thirst,) 

Soon as the potion works, their human count'nance, 

Th' express resemblance of the gods, is chang'd 

Into some brutish form of wolf, or bear, 

Or ounce, or tyger, hog, or bearded goat. 

All other parts remaining as they were ; 

And they, so perfect is their misery. 

Not once perceive their foul disfigurement. 

But boast themselves more comely than before, 

And all their friends and native home forget, 

To roll with pleasure in a sensual sty ; 

Therefore when any favour'd of high Jove 

Chances to pass through this advent'rous glade, 

Swift as that sparkle of a glancing star 

I shoot from heaven, to give him safe convoy, 

As now I do : But first I must put off 

These my sky robes spun out of Iris' woof, 

And take the weeds and likeness of a swain. 

That to the service of his house belongs, 

Who with his soft pipe, and smooth-dittied song, 

Well knows to still the wild winds when they roar, 

And hush the waving woods, nor of less faith, 

And in this office of his mountain watch. 

Likeliest, and nearest to the present aid 

Of this occasion. But I hear the tread 

Of hateful steps, I must be viewless now. 



68 MASK OF coMtrs. 

CoMus enters with a charming-rod in one hand, his glass 
in the other ; with him a rout of monsters, headed like 
sundry sorts of wilds beasts, but otherwise like men and 
women, their apparel glistering ; they come in, making 
a riotous and unruly noise, with torches in their hands, 

Com.us. The star that bids the shepherd fold, 
Now the top of heaven doth hold, 
And the gilded car of day, 
His glowing axle doth allay 
In the steep Atlantic stream. 
And the slope sun his upward beam 
Shoots against the dusky pole, 
Pacing toward the other goal 
Of his chamber in the east. 
Meanwhile welcome joy, and feast, 
Midnight shout, and revelry. 
Tipsy dance, and jollity ; 
Braid your locks with rosy twine, 
Dropping odours, dropping wine. 
Rigour now is gone to bed, 
And Advice with scrupulous head, 
Strict Age, and sour Severity 
With their grave saws in slumber lie. 
We that are of purer fire 

Imitate the starry choir, ^.x 

Who in their nightly watchful spheres, 
Lead in swift round the months and years. 
The sounds and seas with all their finny drove, 
Now to the moon in wavering morrice move ; 
And on the tawny sands and shelves 
Trip the pert fairies and the dapper elves. 
By dimple brook, and fountain brim, 
The wood-nymphs deck'd with daisies trim, 
Their merry wakes and pastimes keep : 
What hath night to do with sleep ? 
Night hath better sweets to prove, 
Venus now wakes and wakens Love. 
Come let us our rites begin, 
'Tis only day-light that makes sin, 



MASK OF COMUS. 69 

Which these dull shades will ne'er report. 

Hail goddess of nocturnal sport, 

Dark-veil'd Cotytto, t' whom the secret flame 

Of midnight torches burns ; mysterious dame, 

That ne'er art call'd, but v/hen the dragon womb 

Of Stygian darkness spits her thickest gloom. 

And makes one blot of all the air, 

Stay thy cloudy ebon chair, 

Wherein thou rid'st with Hecate, and befriend 

Us, thy vow'd priests, till utmost end 

Of all thy dues be done, and none left out, 

Ere the blabbing eastern scout, 

The nice morn on th' Indian steep 

From her cabin'd loop-hole peep, 

And to the tell-tale sun descry 

Our conceal'd solemnity. 

Come, knit hands, and beat the ground 

In a light fantastic round. 

The Measure, 

Break off, break off, I feel the different pace 

Of some chaste footing near about this ground. 

Run to your shrouds, within these brakes and trees 

Our number may affright : Some virgin sure 

(For so I can distinguish by mine art) 

Benighted in these woods. Now to my charms, 

And to my wily trains ; t shall ere long 

Be well stock'd with as fair a herd as graz'd 

About my mother Circe. Thus I hurl 

My dazzling spells into the spongy air, 

!)f power to cheat the eye with blear illusion, 

A.nd give it false presentments, lest the place 

And my quaint habits, breed astonishment. 

And put the damsel to suspicious flight, 

"Which must not be, for that's against my course ; 

I under fair pretence of friendly ends, 

And well plac'd words of glozing courtesy 

Baited with reasons not unplausible, 



70 JIASK OP COMUS. 

Wind me into the easy-hearted man, 

And hug him into snares. When once her eye 

Hath met the virtue of this magic dust, 

I shall appear some harmless villager, 

Wliom thrift keeps up about his country gear. 

But here she comes, I fairly step aside, 

A.nd hearken, if I may, her business here. 

The Lady enters. 
This way the noise was, if mine ear be true, 
My best guide now ; me thought it was the sound 
Of riot and ill-manag'd merriment. 
Such as the jocund flute, or gamesome pip 
Stirs up among the loose unletter'd hinds. 
When for their teeming flocks and granges full, 
In wanton dance they praise the bounteous Pan 
And thank the gods amiss. I should be loath 
To meet the rudeness, and swill'd insolence 
Of such late wassailers ; yet O, where else 
Shall I inform my unacquainted feet 
In the blind mazes of this tangled wood ? 
My Brothers when they saw me wearied out 
With this long way, resolving here to lodge 
Under the spreading favour of these pines, 
Stepp'd, as they said, to the next thicket side 
To bring me berries, or such cooling fruit 
As the kind hospitable woods provide. 
They left me then when the gray-hooded even, 
Like a sad votarist in palmer's weed, 
Kose from the hindmost wheels of Phoebus' wain. 
But where they are, and why they came not back, 
Is now the labour of my thoughts ; likeliest 
They had engag'd their wand'ring steps too far, 
And envious darkness, ere they could return, 
Had stole them from me ; else, O thievish Night, 
Why shouldst thou, but for some felonious end, 
In thy dark lantern thus close up the stars. 
That nature hung in heaven, and fill'd their lamps 
With everlasting oil, to give due light 



MASK OF COMTJS. 71 

To the misled and lonely traveller ? 
This is the place, as well as I may guess, 
Whence even now the tumult of loud mirth 
Was rife, and perfect in r.xy list'ning ear, 
y"et nought but single darkness do I find. 
What might this be ? A thousand fantasies 
Begin to throng into my memory, 
Of calling shapes, and beck'ning shadows dire, 
And airy tongues, that syllable men's names 
On sands, and shores, and desert wildeniesses. 
These thoughts may startle well, but not astound 
The virtuous mind, that ever walks attended 
By a strong siding champion. Conscience. — 

welcome pure-eyed Faith, white-handed Hope, 
Thou hovering angel girt with golden wings, 
And thou unblemish'd form of Chastity ; 

1 see you visibly, and now believe 

That he, the Supreme Good, t' whom all things ill 

Are but as slavish officers of vengeance, 

Would send a glist'ring guardian if need were 

To keep my life and honour unassail'd. 

Was I deceiv'd, or did a sable cloud 

Turn forth her silver lining on the night ? 

I did not err, there does a sable cloud 

Turn forth her silver lining on the night, 

And casts a gleam over this tufted grove. 

1 cannot halloo to .: ^ Brothers, but 

Such noise as I can make to be heard farthest 

I'll venture, for my new enliven'd spirits 

Prompt me ; and they perhaps are not far off. ' 



SONG. 

Sweet Echo, sweetest nymph, that liv'st unseen 

Within thy airy shell, 

By slow Meander's margent green, 
And in the violet-embroider'd vale, 

Where the lovelorn nightingale 



72 MASK OF COMUS. 

Nightly to thee her sad song mourneth well ; 
Canst thou not tell me of a gentle pair 
That likest thy Narcissus are ? 

O if thou have 
Hid them in some flowery cave, 
Tell me but where, 
Sweet queen of parly, daughter of the sphere, 
So mayst thou be translated to the skies, 
And give resounding grace to all heaven's harmonics, 

Comus. Can any mortal mixture of earth's mould 
Breathe such divine enchanting ravishment ? 
Sure something holy lodges in that breast, 
And with these raptures moves the vocal air 
To testify his hidden residence : 
How sweetly did they float upon the wings 
Of silence, through the empty-vaulted night 
At every fall smoothing the raven down 
Of darkness till it smil'd ! I have oft heard 
My mother Circo with the Sirens three, 
Amidst the flovv^ery-kirtled Naiades 
Culling their potent herbs, and baleful drugs. 
Who as they sung, would take the prison'd soul, 
And lap in Elysium ; Scylla wept, 
And chid her bar^-nng waves into attention, 
And fell Charybdis murmur'd soft applause : 
Yet they in pleasing slumber luU'd the sense 
And in sweet madness robb'd it of itself : 
But such a sacred, and homefelt delight. 
Such sober certainty of waking bliss 
I never heard till now. I'll speak to her, 
And she shall be my queen. Kail, foreign wonder, 
Whom certain these rough shades did never breed, 
Unless the goddess that in rural shrine 
Dwell'st here with Pan, or Silvan by bless'd song 
Forbidding every bleak unkindly fog 
To touch the prosp'rous growth of this toll wood. 

Lady. Nay, gentle Shepherd, ill is lost that praise 
That is address'd to unattending ears ; 



i 



- MASK OF COMUS, 73 

Not any boast of skill, but extreme shift 
How to regain my sever'd company, 
Compell'd me to awake the courteous Echo 
To give me answer from her mossy couch. 

Com. What chance, good Lady, hath bereft you 
thus? 

Lady. Dim darkness and this leafy labyrinth. 

Com. Could that divide you from near-ushering 
guides ? 

Lady. They left me weary on a grassy turf. 

Com. By falsehood, or discourtesy, or why ? 

Lady. To seek i' th' valley some cool friendly spring. 

Com. And left your fair side all unguarded, Lady ? 

Lady. They were but twain, and purpos'd quick 
return. 

Com. Perhaps forestalling night prevented them ? 

Lady. How easy my misfortune is to hit ! 

Com. Imports their loss, beside the present need ? 

Lady. No less than if I should my brothers lose. 

Com. Where they of manly prime, or youthfu 
bloom ? 

Lady. As smooth as Hebe's their unrazor'd lips. 

i^om. Two such I saw, what time the labour'd ox 
Ifet 1118 loose traces from the furrow came, 
Aaa liie swink'd hedger at his supper sat ', 
I saw Idem under a green mantling vine 
That crawls along the side of yon small hill, 
Pluckmff ripe clusters from the tender shoots ; 
Their port was more than human, as they stood ; 
I took it for a fairy vision 
Of some gay creatures of the element, 
That in the colours of the rainbow live. 
And play i' th' plighted clouds. I was awe-struck 
And as I pass'd, I worshipp'd ; if those you seek, 
It were a journey like the path to heaven, 
To help you find them. 

Lady. Gentle villager, 
What readiest way would bring me to that place ? 

Com. Due west it rises from this shrubby point. 



74 MASlC OF COMUS- 

Lady. To find out that, good Shepherd, I suppose, 
In such a scant allowance of star-light, 
Would overtask the best land-pilot's art, 
Without the sure guess of well-practis'd feet. 

Com. I know each lane, and every alley green, 
Dingle or bushy dell of this wild wood, 
And every husky bourn from side to side, 
My daily walks and ancient neighbourhood ; 
And if your stray-attendants be yet lodg'd. 
Or shroud within these limits, I shall know 
Ere morrow wake, or the low-roosted lark 
From her thatch 'd pallet rouse ; if otherwise 
I can conduct you, Lady, to a low 
But loyal cottage, where you may be safe 
Till further quest. 

Lady. Shepherd I take thy word, 
And trust thy honest offer'd courtesy, 
Which oft is sooner found in lowly sheds 
With smoky rafters, than in tap'stry halls 
And courts of princes, where it first was nam'd, 
And yet is most pretended : In a place 
Less warranted than this, or less secure, 
I cannot be, that I should fear to change it. 
Eye me, bless'd Providence, and square my trial 
To my proportion'd strength. Shepherd, lead on. 

The two Brothers. 

Eld. Bra. Unmuffle, ye faint stars, and thou, fail 
moon, 
That wont'st to love the traveller's benizon, 
Stoop thy pale visage through an amber cloud, 
And disinherit Chaos, that reigns here 
In double night of darkness, and of shades ; 
Or if your influence be quite damm'd up 
With black usurping mists, some gentle taper, 
Though a rush candle from the wicker hole 
Of some clay habitation, visit us 
With thy long levell'd rule of streaming light, 



HASK O COMUS» . 7B 

And thou shalt be our star of Arcady, 
Or Tyrian Cynosure. 

Sec. Bro. Or if our eyes 
Be barr'd that happiness, might we but hear 
The folded flocks penn'd in their wattled cotes, 
Or sound of past'ral reed with oaten stops, 
Or whistle from the lodge, or village cock 
Count the night watches to his feathery dames, 
*Twould be some solace yet, some little cheering 
In this close dungeon of innumerous boughs. 
But O that hapless virgin, our lost Sister, 
Where may she wander now, v/hither betake her 
From the chill dew, amongst rude burs and thistles ? 
Perhaps some cold bank is her bolster now, 
Or 'gainst the rugged bark of some broad elm 
Leans her unpillow'd head fraught with sad fears. 
What if in wild amazement, and affright. 
Or, while we speak, within the direful grasp 
Of savage hunger, or of savage heat ? 

Eld. Bro. Peace, Brother, be not over exquisite 
To cast the fashion of uncertain evils ; 
For grant they be so, while they rest unknown, 
What need a man forestall his date of grief, 
And run to meet what he would most avoid ? 
Or if they be but false alarms of fear, 
How bitter is such self-delusion ? 
I do not think my Sister so to seek, 
Or so unprincipled in virtue's book, 
And the sweet peace that goodness bosoms ever, 
As that the single want of light and noise 
Not being in danger, as I trust she is not) 
Could stir the constant mood of her calm thoughts^ 
And put them into misbecoming plight. 
Virtue could see to do what virtue would 
By her own radiant light, though sun and moon 
Were in the flat sea sunk. And wisdom's self 
Oft seeks to sweet retired solitude. 
Where with her best nuree contemplation 
She plumes her feathers, and lets grow her wings, 



76 MASK OF COMUS. 

That in the various hustle of resort 
Were all too ruffled, and sometimes impair'd. 
He that has light within his own clear breast 
May sit i' th' centre, and enjoy bright day : 
But he that hides a dark soul, and foul thoughts, 
Benighted walks under the mid-day sun ; 
Him?elf is his ovm dungeon. 

Sec. Bro. 'Tis most true, 
That musing meditation most affects 
The pensive secresy of desert cell, 
Far from the cheerful haunt of men and herds, 
And sits as safe as in the senate house ; 
For who would rob a hermet of his weeds, 
His few books or his beads, or maple dish, 
Or do his grey hairs any violence ? 
But beauty, like the fair Hesperian tree 
Laden with blooming gold, had need the guard 
Of dragon-watch with unenchanted eye, 
To save her blossoms, and defend her fruit 
From the rash hand of bold incontinence. 
You may as well spread out the unsunn'd heaps 
Of miser's treasure by an outlaw's den, 
And tell me it is safe, as bid me hope 
Danger will wink on opportunity, 
And let a single helpless maiden pass 
Uninjur'd in this wild surrounding waste. 
Of night, or loneliness it recks me not ; 
I fear the dread events that dog them both, 
Lest some ill-greeting touch attempt th« person 
Of our unown'd Sister. 

Eld. Bro. I do not, Brother, 
Infer, as if I thought my Sister's state 
Secure without all doubt, or controversy . 
Yet where an equal poise of hope and fear 
Does arbitrate th' event, my nature is 
That I incline to hope, rather than fear, 
And gladly banish squint suspicion. 
My Sister is not so defenceless left 



MASK OF COMUS. T7 

As you imagine ; she has a hidden strength 
Which you remember not, 

Sec. Bro. What hidden strength. 
Unless the strength of heaven, if yau mean that ? 

Eld. Bro. I mean that too, but yet a hidden strengtii 
Which if heaven gave it, may be term'd her own, 
'Tis chastity, my Brother, chastity : 
She that has that, is clad in complete steel, 
And like a quiver'd nymph with arrows keen 
May trace huge forests, and unharbour'd heaths, 
Infamous hills, and sandy perilous wilds, 
Where through the sacred rays of chastity. 
No savage fierce, bandit, or mountaineer 
Will dare to soil her virgin purity : 
Yea there, where very desolation dwells 
By grots, and caverns shagg'd with horrid shades. 
She may pass on with unblench'd majesty, 
Be it not done in pride, or in presumption. 
Some say no evil thing that walks by night, 
In fog, or fire, by lake, or moorish fen, 
Blue meagre hag, or stubborn unlaid ghost, 
That breaks his magic chains at curfew time, 
No goblin, or swart fairy of the mine. 
Hath hurtful power o'er true virginity. 
Do ye believe me yet, or shall I call 
Antiquity from the old schools of Greece 
To testify the arms of chastity ? 
Hence had the huntress Dian her dread bow. 
Fair silver-shafted queen, for ever chaste, 
Wherewith she tam'd the brinded lioness 
And spotted mountain pard, but set at nought 
The frivolous bolt of Cupid ; gods and men 
Fear'd her stern frown, and she was queen o' th* woods 
What was that snaky-headed Gorgon shield. 
That wise Minerva wore, unconquer'd virgin, 
Wherewith she freez'd her foes to congeal'd stone. 
But rigid looks of chaste austerity. 
And noble grace that dash'd brute violence 
With sudden adoration, and blank awe ? 
G* 



78 MASK OF coMtrs. 

So dear to heaven is saintly chastity, 
That when a soul is found sincerely so, 
A thousand liveried angels lacky her. 
Driving far off each thing of sin and guilt, 
And in clear dream, and solemn vision, 
Tell her of things that no gross ear can hear, 
Till oft converse with heavenly habitants. 
Begin to cast a beam on th' outward shape, 
The unpolluted temple of the mind, ^ 

And turns it by degrees to the soul's essence. 
Till all be made immortal : but when lust, 
By unchaste looks, loose gestures and foul talk, 
But most by lewd and lavish act of sin, 
Lets in defilement to the inward parts. 
The soul grows clotted by contagion, 
Imbodies, and imbrutes, till she quite lose 
The divine property of her first being. 
Such are those thick and gloomy shadows damp 
Oft seen in charnal vaults and sepulchres, 
Ling'ring and sitting by a new made grave, 
As loath to leave the body that it lov'd. 
And link'd itself by carnal sensuality 
To a degenerate and degraded state. 

Sec. Bro. How charming is divine philosophy ! 
Not harsh, and crabbed, as dull fools suppose, 
But musical as is Apollo's lute, 
And a perpetual feast of nectar'd sweets, 
Where no crude surfeit reigns. 

Eld. Bro. List, list, I hear 
Some far ofi'halloo break the silent air» 

Sec. Bro. Methought so too ; what should it be. 

Eld. Bro. For certain 
Either some one like us night-founder'd here. 
Or else some neighbour wood-man, or at worst. 
Some roving robber calling to his fellows. 

Sec. Bro. Heaven keep my Sister. Again, again, 
and near ; 
Best draw% and stand upon our guards 

Eld. Bro. I'll halloo i 



MASK OF COMUS. 79 

If he be friendly, he comes well ; If not, 
Defence is a good cause, and heaven be for us. 

The attendant Spirit, habited like a shepherd. 

That halloo I should know, what are you ? speak ; 
Come not too near, you fall on iron stakes else. 

Spir. What voice is that ? my young lord ? speak 
again. 

Sec. Bro. O brother, 'tis my father's shepherd, sure. 

Eld. Bro. Thyrsis ? whose artful strains have oft 
delay'd 
The huddling brook to hear his madrigal, 
And sweeten'd every musk-rose of the dale. 
How cam'st thou here, good swain ? hath any ram 
Slipp'd from the fold, or young kid lost his dam, 
Or straggling wether the pent flock forsook ? 
How could'st thou find this dark sequester'd nook? 

Spir. O my lov'd master's heir, and his next joy, 
I came not here on such a trivial toy 
As a stray'd ewe, or to pursue the stealth 
Of pilfering wolf; not all the fleecy wealth 
That doth enrich these do^vns, is worth a thought 
To this my errand, and the care it brought. 
But, my virgin Lady, where is she ? 
How chance she is not in your company ? 

Eld. Bro. To tell thee sadly. Shepherd, without 
blame, 
Or our neglect, we lost her as we came. 

Spir. Ah me unhappy ! then my fears are true. 

Eld. Bro. What fears, good Thyrsis ? Prithee 
briefly show. 

Spir. I'll tell ye ; 'tis not vain or fabulous, 
Though so esteem'd by shallow ignorance,) 
What the sage poets, taught by th' heavenly muse. 
Storied of old in high immortal verse. 
Of dire chimeras and enchanted isles. 
And rifted rocks whose entrance leads to hell ; 
For such there be, but unbelief is blind. 



80 MASK OF COMUS. 

Within the naval of this hideous wood, 
Immur'd in cypress shades a sorcerer dwells, 
Of Bacchus and of Circe born, great Comus, 
Deep skill'd in all his mother's witcheries, 
And here to every thirsty wanderer, 
By sly enticement gives his baneful cup, 
With many mumurs mix'd, whose pleasing poison 
The visage quite transforms of him that drinks, 
And the inglorious likeness of a beast 
Fixes instead, unmoulding reason's mintage 
Character'd in the face ; this have I learn'd 
Tending my flocks hard by i' th' hilly crofts 
That brow this bottom glade, whence night by night 
He and his monstrous rout are heard to howl 
Like stabled wolves, or tigers at their prey, 
Doing abhored rites to Hecate 
In their obscured haunts of inmost bowers. 
Yet have they many baits, and guileful spells. 
To inveigle and invite th' unwary sense 
Of them that pass unweeting by the way. 
This evening late, by then the chewing flocks 
Had ta'en their supper on the savoury herb 
Of knot-grass dew-besprent, and were in fold, 
I sat me down to watch upon a bank 
With ivy canopied, and interwove 
With flaunting honey-suckle, and began, 
Wrapt in a pleasing fit of melancholy, 
To meditate my rural minstrelsy, 
Till fancy had her fill, but ere a close 
The wonted roar was up amidst the woods, 
And fill'd the air with barbarous dissonance ; 
At which I ceas'd, and listen'd them awhile, 
Till an unusual stop of sudden silence 
Gave respite to the drowsy-flighted steeds. 
That draw the litter of close curtain'd sleep ; 
At last a soft and solemn breathing-sound 
Rose like a steam of rich distill'd perfumes. 
And stole upon the air, that even silence 
Was took ere she was 'ware, and wished she miglv 



MASK OF COMUS. 81 

Deny her nature, and be never more 

Still to be so displac'd. I was all ear, 

And took in strains that might create a soul 

Under the ribs of death : but Oh ! ere long 

Too well I did perceive it was the voice 

Of my most honour'd Lady, your dear sister, 

Amaz'd I stood, harrow'd with grief and fear, 

And 0, poor hapless nightingale, thought I, 

How sweet thou sing'st, how near the deadly snare ' 

Then down the lawns I ran with headlong haste, 

Through paths and turnings often trod by day ; 

Till guided by mine ear I found the place, 

Where that damn'd wizard hid in sly disguise 

(For so by certain signs I knew) had met 

Already, ere my best speed could prevent. 

The aidless innocent Lady, his wish'd prey, 

Who gently ask'd if he had seen such two, 

Supposing him some neighbour villager. 

Longer I durst not stay, but soon I guess'd 

Ye were the two she meant ; with that I sprung 

Into swift flight, till I had found you here. 

But further know I not. 

Sec. Bro. O night and shades, 
How are ye join'd with hell in triple knot, 
Against th' unarmed weakness of one virgin, 
Alone, and helpless ! Is this the confidence 
You gave me, Brother ? 

Eld. Bro. Yes, and keep it still. 
Lean on it safely ; not a period 
Shall be unsaid for me : against the threats 
Of malice or of sorcery, or that power 
Which erring men call Chance, this I hold firm, 
\^irtue may be assail'd, but never hurt 

urpris'd by unjust force, but not inthrall'd ; 
Yea even that which mischief meant most harm, 
Shall in the happy trial prove most glory ; 
But evil on itself shall back recoil. 
And mix no more with goodness, when at last 
Gather'd like scum, and settled to itself. 



C« MASK OF COMUS. 

It shall be in eternal restless change 

Self-fed, and self-consumed : if this fail, 

The pillar'd firmament is rottenness, 

And earth's base built on stubble. But come, let's on, 

Against th' opposing will and arm of heaven 

May never this just sword be lifted up ; 

But for that damn'd magician, let him be girt 

With all the grisly legions that troop 

Under the sooty flag of Acheron, 

Harpies and Hydras, or all the monstrous forms 

*Twixt Africa and Ind, I'll find him out, 

And force him to restore his purchase back, 

Or drag him by the curls to a foul death, 

Curs'd as his life. 

Spir. Alas I good vent'rous youth, 
I love thy courage yet, and bold emprise ; 
But here thy sword can do thee little stead ; 
Far other arms, and other weapons must 
Be those that quell the might of hellish charms : 
He, with his bare wand, can unthread thy joints, 
And crumble all thy sinews. 

Eld. Bro. Why pr'ythee. Shepherd, 
How durst thou then thyself approach so near, 
As to make this relation ? 

Spir. Care and utmost shifts 
How to secure the Lady from surprisal. 
Brought to my mind a certain shepherd lad. 
Of small regard to see to, yet well skill'd. 
In every virtuous plant and healing herb, 
That spreads her verdant leaf to th' morning ray : 
He lov'd me well, and oft would beg me sing, 
Which when I did, he, on the tender grass. 
Would sit and hearken e'en to ecstacy. 
And in requital ope his leathern scrip, 
And show me simples of a thousand names, 
Telling their strange and vigorous faculties : 
Among the rest a small unsightly root, 
But of divine effect, he cull'd me out ; 
The leaf was darkish, and had prickles on it, 



MASK OF COMTTS. 83 

But in another country, as he said, 

Bore a bright golden flower, but not in this soil : 

Unknown, and like esteem'd, and the dull swain 

Treads on it daily with his clouted shoon ; 

And yet more med'cinal is it than that Moly 

That Hermes once to wise Ulysses gave : 

He call'd it Haemony, and gave it me, 

And bade me keep it as of sov'reign use 

'Gainst all enchantments, mildew, blast, or damp, 

Or ghastly furies' apparition. 

I purs'd it up, but little reck'ning made. 

Till now that this extremity compell'd. 

But now I find it true ; for by this means 

( knew the foul enchanter though disguis'd, 

Enter'd the very lime-twigs of his spells, 

And yet came off: if you have this about you, 

(As I will give you when we go,) you may 

Boldly assault the necromancer's hall ; 

Where if he be, with dauntless hardihood, 

And brandish'd blade rush on him, break his glass, 

And shed the luscious liquor on the ground. 

But seize his wand ; though he and his curs'd crew 

Fierce sign of battle make, and menace high. 

Or, like the sons of Vulcan, vomit smoke. 

Yet will they soon retire, if he but shrink, 

Eld. Bro. Thyrsis, lead on a pace, I'll follow thee, 
And some good angel bear a shield before us, 

The scene changes to a stately palace^ set out with all 
manner of deticiousness : soft music, tables spread with 
all dainties. Comus appears with his rabble, and the 
Lady set in an enchanted chair, to whom he offers hi 
glass, which she puts by, and attempts to rise. 

Com. Nay, Lady, sit ; if I but wave this wand, 
four nerves are all chasn'd up in alabaster, 
A-nd you a statue, or as Daphne was 
Root-bound, that fled Apollo. 

Lady. Fool, do not boast. 
Thou canst not touch the freedom of my mind 



84 MASK OF COMUS. 

With all thy charms, aUhough this corporal rind 
Thou hast immanacled, while heaven sees good. 

Com. Why are you vex'd, Lady ? Why do ye 
frown ? 
Here dwell no frowns, nor anger; from these gates 
Sorrow flies far : See here be all the pleasures 
That fancy can beget on youthful thoughts, 
When the fresh blood grows lively, and returns 
Brisk as the April buds in primrose-season. 
And first behold this cordial julap here. 
That flames and dances in his crystal bounds, 
With spirits of balm, and fragrant syrups mix'd. 
Not that Nepenthes, which the wife of Thone 
In Egypt gave to Jove-born Helena, 
Is of such power to stir up joy as this, 
To life so friendly, or so cool to thirst, 
Why should you be so cruel to yourself. 
And to those dainty limbs which nature lent 
For gentle usage, and soft delicacy ? 
But you invert the covenants of her trust, 
And harshly deal, like an ill borrower, 
With that which you receiv'd on other terms, 
Scorning the unexempt condition 
By which all mortal frailty may subsist, 
Refreshment after toil, ease after pain. 
That have been tir'd all day without repast, 
And timely rest have wanted ; but, fair virgin, 
This will restore all soon. 

Lady. 'Twill not, false traitor, 
'Twill not restore the truth and honesty 
That thou hast banish'd from thy tongue with lies. 
Was this the cottage, and the safe abode 
Thou told'st me of ? what grim aspects are these, 
These ugly-headed monsters ? Mercy guard me ! 
Hence with thy brew'd enchantments, foul deceiver *, 
Hast thou betray'd my credulous innocence 
With visor'd falsehood, and base forgery ? 
And wouldst thou seek again to trap me here 
With liquorish baits fit to ensnare a brute ? 



KAtfL OF COMUS. 8S 

Were it a draught for Juno when she banquets, 
I would not taste thy treasonous offer ; none 
But such as are good men can give good things, 
And that wiiich is not good is not delicious 
To a well-govern 'd and wise appetite. 

Com. O foolishness of men ! that lend their ears 
To those budge doctors of the stoic fur, 
And fetch their precepts from the cynic tub, 
Praising the lean and sallow abstinence. 
Wherefore did nature pour her bounties forth, 
With such a full and unwithdrawing hand, 
Covering the earth with odours, fruits, and flocks, 
Thronging the seas with spawn innumerable, 
But all to please and sate the curious taste ? 
And set to work millions of spinning worms, 
That in their green shops weave the smooth-hair'd 

silk, 
To deck her sons ; and that no corner might 
Be vacant of her plenty, in her own loins 
She hutch'd th' all worshipp'd ore, and precious gems 
To store her children with ; if all the world 
Should in a pet of temp'rance feed on pulse, 
Drink the clear stream, and nothing wear but frieze, 
Th' all-giver would be unthank'd, would be unprais'd 
Not half his riches known, and yet despis'd. 
And we should serve him as a grudging master, 
As a penurious niggard of his wealth, 
And live like Nature's bastards, not her sons. 
Who would be quite surcharg'd with her own weight, 
And strangled with her waste fertility, 
Th' earth cumber'd, and the wing'd air dark'd with 

plumes. 
The herds would over-multitude their lords, 
The sea o'erfraught would sw'ell, and th' unsought 

diamonds 
Would so emblaze the forehead of the deep, 
And so bestud with stars, that they below 
Would grow inur'd to light, and come at last 
To gaze upon the sun with shameless brows 
H 



S6 MASK OF COMUS. 

List, Lady, be not coy, and be not cozen'd 
With that same vaunted name virginity. 
Beauty is nature's coin, must not be hoarded 
But must be current, and the good thereof 
Consists in mutual and partaken bliss, 
Unsavoury in th' enjoyment of itself j 
If you let slip time, like a neglected rose 
It withers on the stalk with languish'd head. 
Beauty is nature's brag, and must be shown 
In courts, in feasts, and high solemnities, 
Where most may wonder at the workmanship; 
It is for homely features to keep home, 
They had their name thence ; coarse conplexions 
And cheeks of sorry grain will serve to ply 
The sampler, and to tease the housewife's wool. 
WTiat need a vermil-tinctur'd lip for that, 
Love-darting eyes, or tresses like the morn ? 
There was another meaning in these gifts, 
Think what, and be advis'd, you are but young yet. 
Lady. I had not thought to have unlock'd my lips 
In this unhallow'd air, but that this juggler 
Would think to charm my judgment, as mine eyes, 
Obtruding false rules prank'd in reason's garb. 
I hate when vice can bolt her arguments. 
And virtue has no tongue to check her pride. 
Imposter, do not charge most innocent nature, 
As if she would her children should be riotous 
With her abundance ; she, good cateress, 
Means her provision only to the good, 
That live according to her sober laws, 
And holy dictate of spare temperance : 
If every just man, that now pines with want, 
Had but a moderate and beseeming share 
Of that which lewdly pamper'd luxury 
Now heaps upon some few with vast excess, 
Nature's full blessing would be well dispens'd 
In unsuperfluous even proportion, 
And she no whit incumber'd with her store ; 
And then the giver would be better thank'd, 



MASK OF COMXJS. 



^ 



His praise due paid ; for swinish gluttony 
Ne'er looks to heaven amidst his gorgeous feast, 
But with besotted base ingratitude 
Crams and blasphemes his feeder. Shall I go on ? 
Or have I said enough ? To him that dares 
Arm his profane tongue with contemptuous words 
Against the sun-clad power of chastity, 
Fain would I something say, yet to what end ? 
Thou hast not ear nor soul to apprehend 
The sublime notion, and high mystery. 
That must be utter'd to unfold the sage 
And serious doctrine of virginity. 
And thou art worthy that thou should'st not know 
More happiness than this thy present lot. 
Enjoy your dear wit, and gay rhetoric, 
That hath so well been taught her dazzling fence. 
Thou art not fit to hear thyself convinc'd ; 
Yet should I try, the uncontrolled worth 
Of this pure cause would kindle my rapt spirits 
To such a flame of sacred vehemence, 
That dumb things would be mov'd to sympathize, 
And the brute earth would lend her nerves and shake, 
Till all thy magic structures rear'd so high, 
Were shatter'd into heaps o'er thy false head. 
Com. She fables not, I feel that I do fear 
Her words set off by some superior power: 
And though not mortal, yet a cold shudd'ring dew 
Dips me all o'er, as when the wrath of Jove 
Speaks thunder, and the chains of Erebus 
To some of Satan's crew. I must dissemble, 
And try her yet more strongly. Come, no more, 
This is mere moral babble, and direct 
Against the canon laws of our foundation ; 
I must not suffer this, yet 'tis but the lees 
And settlings of a melancholy blood : 
But this will cure all straight, one sip of this 
Will bathe the drooping spirits, and delight 
Beyond the bliss of dreams, Be wise, and taste. 



88 MASK OF COMtiS* 

The Brothers rush in with swords drawn, wrest his glass 
out of his hand, and break it against the ground j his 
rout make sign of resistance, but are alt driven in: 
The attendant Spirit comes in. 

Spirits What, have you let the false enchanter 



scape 



O ye mistook, ye should have snatch'd his wand 
And bound him fast ; without his rod revers'd, 
And backward mutters of dissevering power, 
We cannot free the Lady that sits here 
In stony fetters fixed, and motionless : 
Yet stay, be not disturb'd ; now I bethink me. 
Some other means I have which may be us'd, 
Which once of Melibceus old I learn'd. 
The soothest shepherd that e'er pip'd on plains. 
There is a gentle nymph not far from hence, 
That with moist curb sways the smooth Severn 

stream, 
Sabrina is her name, a virgin pure , 
Whilome she was the daughter of Locrine, 
That had the sceptre from his father Brute. 
She, guiltless damsel, flying the mad pursuit 
Of her enraged stepdame Guendolen, 
Commended her fair innocence to the flood. 
That stay'd her flight with his cross flowing course, 
The water-nymphs that in the bottom play'd, 
Held up their pearly wrists and took her in. 
Bearing her straight to aged Nereus' hall, 
Who, piteous of her woes, rear'd her lank head, 
And gave her to his daughters to embathe 
In nectar'd lavers strow'd with asphodil. 
And through the porch and inlet of each sense 
Dropp'd in ambrosial oils till she reviv'd, 
And underwent a quick immortal change, 
Made goddess of the river ; still she retains 
Her maiden gentleness, and oft at eve 
Visits the herds along the twilight meadows. 
Helping all urchin blasts, and ill-luck signs 
That the shrew'd meddling elf delights to make, 



MASt OF COMtTS. * 

Which she with precious vial'd liquors heals. 

For which the shepherds at their festivals 

Carol her goodness loiid in rustic lays, 

And throw sweet garland wreaths into her stream, 

Of pansies, pinks, and gaudy daffodils. 

And, as the old swain said, she can unlock 

The clasping charm, and thaw the numbing spell, 

[f she be right invok'd in warbled song. 

For maidenhood she loves, and will be swift 

To aid a virgin, such as was herself. 

In hard besetting need ; this will I try. 

And add the power of some adjuring verse. 



SONG. 

Sabrina fair, 

Listen where thou art sitting 
Under the glassy, cool, translucent wave, 

In twisted braids of lilies knitting 
The loose train of thy amber-dropping hair ; 

Listen for dear honour's sake, 
Goddess of the silver lake. 
Listen and save. 
Listen and appear to us 
In name of great Oceanus, 
By th' earth-shaking Neptune's mace, 
And Tethy's grave majestic pace. 
By hoary Nereus' wrinkled look, 
And the Carpathian wizard's hook, 
By scaly Triton's winding shell. 
And old sooth-saying Glaucus' spell, 
By Leucothea's lovely hands, 
And her son that rules the strands, 
By Thetis' tinsel-slipper'd feet, 
And the songs of Sirens sweet, 
By dead Parthenope's dear tomb, 
A.nd fair Ligea's golden comb, 
V\rherewith she sits on diamond rocks, 
H* 



90 MASK OF COMUS. 

Sleeking her soil alluring locks, 
By all the nymphs that nightly dance 
Upon thy streams with wily glance 
Rise, rise, and heave thy rosy head 
From thy coral-paven bed, 
And bridle in thy headlong wave, 
Till thou our summons answer'd have. 
Listen and save. 

Sabrina rises, attended by water-nymphs^ and sings. 

By the rushy-fringed bank, 
Where grows the willow and the osier dank, 

My sliding chariot stays, 
Thick set with agate, and the azure sheen 
Of turkis blue, and em'rald green 
That in the channel strays ; 
Whilst from off the waters fleet 
Thus I set my printless feet 
O'er the cowslip's velvet head, 
That bends not as I tread ; 
Gentle Swain, at thy request 
I am here. 

Spirit. Goddess dear, 
We implore thy powerful hand 
To undo the charmed band 
Of true virgin here distress'd, 
Through the force, and through the wile 
Of unbless'd enchanter vile. 

Sab. Shepherd, 'tis my office best 
To help ensnar'd chastity : 
Brightest Lady, look on me ; 
Thus I sprinkle on thy breast 
Drops that from my fountain pure 
I have kept of precious cure. 
Thrice upon thy finger's tip 
Thrice upon thy rubied lip ; 
Next this marble venom'd seat, 



MASK OP COMUS. 91 

Smear'd with gums of glutinous heat, 
I touch with chaste palms moist and cold : 
Now the spell hath lost his hold ; 
And I must haste ere morning hour 
To wait in Amphitrite's bower. 

Sabrina descends^ and the Lady rises out ofh&r seat. 

Spirit. Virgin, daughter of Locrine 
Sprung of old Anchises' line 
May thy brimmed waves for this 
Their full tribute never miss 
From a thousand petty rills, 
That tumble down the snowy hills : 
Summer drouth, or singed air 
Never scorch thy tresses fair, 
Nor wet October's torrent flood 
Thy molten chrystal fill with mud : 
May thy billows roll ashore 
The beryl, and the golden ore ; 
May thy lofty head be crown'd 
With many a tower and terrace round, 
And here and there thy banks upon 
With groves of myrrh and cinnamon. 

Come, Lady, while heaven lends us grace, 
Let us fly this cursed place. 
Lest the sorcerer us entice 
With some other new device. 
Not a waste, or needless sound, 
Till we come to holier ground ; 
I shall be your faithful guide 
Through this gloomy covert wide, 
And not many furlongs thence 
Is your Father's residence. 
Where this night are met in state 
Many a friend to gratulate 
His wish'd presence, and beside 
All the swains that near abide. 
With jigs, and rural dance resort; 



92 MASK OF COMUS. 

We shall catch them at their sport, 
And our sudden coming there 
Will double all their mirth and cheer ; 
Come, let us haste, the stars grow high, 
But night sits monarch yet in the mid-sky. 

The scene changes^ presentirig Ludlow town and the 
President's castle i then come in country dancers^ af 
ter them the attendant Spirit^ with the two Brothers 
and the Lady, 

SONG. 

Spi. Back, Shepherds, back, enough your play, 
Till next sun-shine holiday : 
Here be without duck or nod 
Other trappings to be trod 
Of lighter toes, and such court guise 
As Mercury did first devise 
With the mincing Dryades 
On the lawns, and on the leas. 

This second Song presents them to their Father and 
Mother, 

Noble Lord and Lady bright, 
I have brought you new delight, 
Here behold so goodly grown 
Three fair branches of your own ; 
Heaven hath timely tried their youth. 
Their faith, their patience, and their truth, 
And sent them here through hard assays 
With a crown of deathless praise, 
To triumph in victorious dance 
O'er sensual folly, and intemperance. 

The dances ended., the Spirit epilogizies, 

Spir. To the ocean now I fly, 
And those happy climes that lie 
Where day never shuts his eye, 



MASK OF COMUS. 

Up in the broad fields of the sky : 
There I suck the liquid air 
All amidst the gardens fair 
Of Hesperus and his daughters three 
That sing about the golden tree. 
Along the crisped shades and bowers 
Revils the spruce and jocund Spring, 
The Graces, and the rosy bosom'd Hours. 
Thither all their bounties bring ; 
That there eternal summer dwells 
And west-winds with musky wing 
About the cedarn alleys fling 
Nard and Cassia's balmy smells. 
Iris there with humid bow 
Waters the odorous banks, that blow 
Flowers of more mingled hue 
Than her purfled scarf can show. 
And drenches with Elysian dew 
(List mortals, if your ears be true) 
Beds of hyacinth and roses, 
Where young Adonis oft reposes, 
Waxing well of his deep wound 
In slumber soft, and on the ground 
Sadly sits th' Assyrian queen ; 
But far above in spangled sheen 
Celestial Cupid her fam'd son advanc'd, 
Holds his dear Psyche sweet intranc'd, 
After her wand'ring labours long 
Till free consent the gods among 
Make her his eternal bride. 
And from her fair unspotted side 
Two blissful twins are to be born. 
Youth and Joy ; so Jove hath sworn. 
But now my task is smoothly done, 
I can fly, or I can run 
Quickly to the green earth's end, 
Where the bow'd welkin slow doth bend, 
And from thence can soar as soon 
To the corners of the moon. 



93 



94 MASK OF COMUS. 

Mortals that would follow me, 
Love virtue, she alone is free. 
She can teach you how to climb 
Higher than the sphery chime ; 
Or if virtue feeble were, 
ieaven itself would stoop to her. 



END OF THE MASK. 



SAMSON AGONISTES 



DRAMATIC POEM 



THE PERSONS. 



Samson. 

Manoah, the Father of Samson. 

Dalila, his Wife. 

Harapha of Gath, 

Public Officer. 

Messenger. 

Chorus of Danjteti, 



THE ARGUMENT. 



Samson made captive, blind, an J now in the prison at Gaza, titer* 
to labour as in a common work-house, on a festival day, in the 
general cessation from labour, comes forth into the open air, ta 
a place nigh, some-what retired, there to sit awhile and bemoan 
his condition. Where he happens at length to be visited by cer- 
tain friends and equals of his tribe, ■which make the Chorus, 
who seek to comfort him what they can ; then by his old father 
Manoah, who endeavors the like, and withal tells him his pur- 
pose to procure his liberty by ransom ; lastly, that this feast was 
proclaimed by the Philistines as a day of thanksgiving for their 
deliverance from the hands of Samson, which yet more troubles 
him. Manoah then departs to prosecute his endeavour with the 
Philistian lords for Samson's redemption ; who, in the mean- 
while, IS visited by other persons ; and lastly by a public officer 
to require his coming to the feast before the lords and people, to 
play and show his strength in their presence j he at first refuses, 
dismissing the public officer with absolute denial to come ; at 
length, persuaded inwardly that this was from God, he yields to 
go along with him, who came now the second time with great 
threatenings to fetch him ; the Chorus yet remaining on the 
place, Manoah returns full of joyful hope, to procure erelong his 
son's deliverance : in the midst of which discourse a Hebrew 
comes in haste, confusedly al first, amd afterwards more distinct- 
Ijr relating the catastrophe, jvhat Samson had done to the Phi- 
listines, and by accident tc himself; wherewith the tragedy 
ends. 



SAMSON AGONISTES.* 



The Scene before the Prison in Gaza. 



Samson, 

A LITTLE onward lend thy guiding hand 

To these dark steps, a little farther on ; 

For yonder bank hath choice of sun or shade, 

There I am wont to sit, when any chance 

Relieves me from my task of servile toil, 

Daily in the common prison else injoin'd me, 

Where I a prisoner chain'd, scarce freely draw 

The air imprison'd also, close and damp, 

Unwholesome draught : but here I feel amends, 

The breath of heaven fresh blowing, pure and sweet, 

With day-spring born ; here leave me to respire. 

This day a solemn feast the people hold 

To Dagon, their sea-idol, and forbid 

Laborious works ; unwillingly this rest 

Their superstition yields me ; hence with leave 

Retiring from the popular noise, I seek 

This unfrequented place to find some ease. 

Ease to the body some, none to the mind 

♦ Samson Agonistes, that is, Samson an Actor, Samson repre- 
sented in a play. j 



98 SAMSON AG0NISTE5. 

From restless thoughts that like a deadly swann 

Of hornets arm'd, no sooner found alone, 

But rush upon me thronging, and present 

Times past, what once I was, and what am now 

O wherefore was my birth from heaven foretold 

Twice by an angel, who at last in sight 

Of both my parents all in flames ascended 

From off the altar, where an offering burn'd, 

As in a fiery column charioting 

His godlike presence, and from some great act 

Or benefit reveal'd to Abraham's race ? 

Why was my breeding order'd and prescrib'd 

As of a person separate to God, 

Design'd for great exploits ; if I must die 

Betray'd, captiv'd, and both my eyes put out, 

Made of my enemies the scorn and gaze ; 

To grind in brazen fetters under task 

With this heaven-gifted strength ? O glorious 

strength 
Put to the labour of a beast, debas'd 
Lower than bondslave ! Promise was that I 
Should Israel from Philistian yoke deliver : 
Ask for this great deliverer now, and find him 
Eyeless in Gaza at the mill with slaves. 
Himself in bonds under Philistian yoke ; 
Yet stay, let me not rashly call in doubt 
Divine prediction ; what if all foretold 
Had been fulfill'd but through mine own default 
Whom have I to complain of but myself? 
Who this high gift of strength committed to me, 
In what part lodg'd, how easily bereft me, 
Under the seal of silence could not keep. 
But weakly to a woman must reveal it, 
O'ercome with importunity and tears. 
O impotence of mind, in body strong ! 
But what is strength without a double share 
Of wisdom, vast, unwieldy, burdensome, 
Proudly secure, yet liable to fall 
By weakest subtleties, not made to rule, 



SAMSON AGONISTES. Vi 

But to subserve where wisdom bears command! 
God, when he gave me strength, to show withal 
How slight the gift was, hung it in my hair. 
But peace, I must not quarrel with the will 
Of highest dispensation, which herein 
Haply had ends above my reach to know : 
Suffices that to me strength is my bane, 
And proves the source of all my miseries ; 
So many, and so huge, that each apart 
Would ask a life to wail, but chief of all, 
O loss of sight, of thee I most complain ! 
Blind among enemies, O worse than chains, 
Dungeon, or beggary, or decrepid age ! 
Light, the prime work of God to me is extinct, 
And all her various objects of delight 
Annull'd, which might in part my grief have eas'd, 
Inferior to the vilest now become 
Of man or worm ; the vilest here excel me, 
They creep, yet see, I dark in light expos'd 
To daily fraud, contempt, abuse, and wrong, 
Within doors, or without, still as a fool, 
In power of others, never in my own ; 
Scarce half I seem to live, dead more than half. 
O dark, dark, dark, amid the blaze of noon. 
Irrecoverably dark, total eclipse 
Without all hope of day I 
O first created Beam, and thou great Word, 
Let there be light, and light was over all ; 
Why am I thus bereav'd thy prime decree ? 
The sun to me is dark 
A.nd silent as the moon, 
When she deserts the night 
lid in her vacant interlunar cave, 
^ince light so necessary is to life, 
And almost life itself, if it be true 
That light is in the soul. 
She all in every part ; why was the sight 
To such a tender ball as th' eye coniin'd, 
So obvious and so easy to be quench'd ? 



100 SAMSON AGONISTES. 

And not as feeling through all parts diffus'd, 

That she might look at will through every pore ? 

Then had I not been thus exil'd from light, 

As in the land of darkness yet in light ; 

To live a life half dead, a living death, 

And buried ; but O yet more miserable ! 

Myself my sepulchre, a moving grave, 

Buried, yet not exempt 

By privilege of death and burial 

From worst of other evils, pains and wrongs, 

But made hereby obnoxious more 

To all the miseries of life, 

Life in captivity 

Among inhuman foes. 

But who are these ? for with joint pace I hear 

The tread of many feet steering this way ; 

Perhaps my enemies who come to stare 

At my affliction, and perhaps t' insult, 

Their daily practice to afflict me more. 

Chor. This, this is he ; softly awhile ! 
Let us not break in upon him : 
O change beyond report, thought, or belief! 
See how he lies at random, carelessly diffus'd, 
With languish'd head unpropp'd, 
As one past hope, abandon'd, 
And by himself given over ; 
In slavish habit, ill-fitted weeds 
O'er-worn and soil'd ; 

Or do my eyes misrepresent ? Can this be he, 
That heroic, that renown'd, 
Irresistible Samson ? whom unarmed 
No strength of man, or fiercest wild beast could with- 
stand ; 
Who tore the lion, as the lion tears the kid, 
Ran on imbattled armies clad in iron, 
And weaponless himself 
Made arms ridiculous, useless the forgery 
Of brazen shield and spear, the hammer'd cuiraa«i 
Chalybean temper'd steel, and frock of mail 



SAMSON AGOWISTB^. 101 

Adamantean proof; 

But safest he who stood aloof, 

When insupportably his foot advanc'd, 

In scorn of their proud arms and warlike tools, 

Spurn'd them to death by troops. The bold Asca • 

lonite 
Fled from his lion ramp, old warriors tum'd 
Their plated backs under his heel ; 
Or grov'ling soil'd their crested helmets in the dust, 
Then with what trivial weapon came to hand, 
The jaw of a dead ass, his sword of bone, 
A thousand foreskins fell, the flower of Palestine, 
In Ramath-lechi famous to this day. 
Then by main force pull'd up, and on his shoulders 

bore 
The gates of Azza, post, and massy bar, 
Up to the hill by Hebron, seat of giants old, 
"No journey of a Sabbath-day, and loaded so ; 
Like whom the Gentiles feign to bear up heaven* 
Which shall I first bewail. 
Thy bondage or lost sight, 
Prison within prison 
Inseparably dark ? 

Thou art become (0 worst imprisonment !) 
The dungeon of thyself; thy soul 
(Which men enjoying sight oft without cause cotH^ 

plain) 
Imprison'd now indeed, 
In real darkness of the body dwells, 
Shut up from outward light 
T' incorprate with gloomy nighty 
For inward light, alas ' 
Puts forth no visual beam. 
O mirror of our fickle state, 
Since man on earth uparallel'd ! 
The rarer thy example stands, 
By how much from the top of wond'rous glory. 
Strongest of mortal men, 

To lowest pitch of abject fortune thou art fallen^ 
I* 



f ^ SAMSON AGONISTES. 

For him I reckon not in high estate 

Whom long descent of birth 

Or the sphere of fortune raises ; 

But thee whose strength, while virtue was her mate, 

Might have subdued the earth, 

Universally crown'd with highest praises. 

SaTiis. I hear the sound of words, their sense the air 
Dissolves unjointed ere it reach my ear. 

Chor. He speaks, let us draw nigh. Matchless in 
might. 
The glory late of Israel, now the grief ; 
We come thy friends and neighbours not unknown 
From Eshtaol and Zora's fruitful vale, 
To visit or bewail thee, or if better. 
Counsel or consolation we may bring. 
Salve to thy sores ; apt words have power to 'swage 
The tumours of a troubled mind, 
And are as balm to fester'd wounds. 

Sams. Your coming, friends, revives me, for [ 
learn 
Now of my own experience, not by talk. 
How counterfeit a coin they are who friends 
Bear in their superscription, (of the most 
I would be understood,) in prosp'rous days 
They swarm, but in adverse withdraw their head, 
Not to be found though sought. Ye see, O friends, 
How many evils have enclos'd me round ; 
Yet that which was the worst now least afflicts me, 
Blindness, for had I sight, confus'd with shame, 
How could I once look up, or heave the head, 
Who like a foolish pilot have shipwreck'd 
My vessel trusted to me from above, 
Gloriously rigg'd ; and for a word, a tear, 
Fool, have divulg'd the secret gift of God 
To a deceitful woman ? tell me friends, 
Am I not sung and proverb'd for a fool 
In every street? do they not say, how well 
Are come upon him his deserts ? yet why ? 
Immeasurable strength they might behold 



SAMSON AGONISTES. 103 

In me, of wisdom nothing more than mean ; 
This with the other should, at least, have pair'd, 
These two, proportion'd ill, drove me transverse. 

Chor. Tax not divine disposal ; wisest men 
Have err'd, and by bad women been deceiv'd ; 
And shall again, pretend they ne'er so wise. 
Deject not then so overmuch thyself, 
Who hast of sorrow thy full load besides ; 
Yet truth to say, I oft have heard men wonder 
Why thou shouldst wed Philistian women rather 
Than of thy own tribe fairer, or as fair, 
At least of thy own nation, and as noble. 

Sams. The first I saw at Timna, and she pleas'd 
Me, not my parents, that I sought to wed 
The daughter of an infidel ; they knew not 
That what I motion'd was of God ; I knew 
From intimate impulse, and therefore urg'd 
The marriage on ; that by occasion hence 
•I might begin Israel's deliverance, 
The work to which I was divinely call'd. 
She proving false, the next I took to wife 
(O that I never had ! fond wish too late,) 
Was in the vale of Sorec, Dalila, 
That specious monster, my accomplish'd snare. 
I thought it lawful from my former act, 
And the same end : still watching to oppress 
Israel's oppressors : of what now I suffer 
She was not the prime cause but I myself, 
Who vanquish'd with a peal of words (O weakness !) 
Gave up my fort of silence to a woman. 

Chor. In seeking just occasion to provoke 
The Philistine, thy country's enemy, 
Thou never wast remiss, I bear thee witness : 
Vet Israel still serves with all his sons. 

Sams. That fault I take not on me, but transfer 
On Israel's governors, and heads of tribes, 
Who seeing those great acts, which God had done 
Singly by me against their conqueror, 
Acknowledg'd not, or not at all consider'd 



104 SAMSON AGONISTEa. 

Deliverance ofFer'd : I on the other side 

Us'd no ambition to commend my deeds, 

The deeds themselves, though mute, spoke loud the 

doer; 
But they persisted deaf and would not seem 
To count them things worth notice, till at length 
Their lords the Philistines with gather'd powers 
Enter'd Judea seeking me, who then 
Safe to the rock of Etham was retir'd, 
Not flying, but fore-casting in what place 
To set upon them, what advantag'd best : 
Meanwhile the men of Judah, to prevent 
The harass of their land, beset me round ; 
I willingly on some conditions came 
Into their hands, and they as gladly yield me 
To the uncircumcised a welcome prey, 
Bound with two cords : but cords to me were threads 
Touch'd with the flame ; on their whole host I flew 
XJnarm'd, and with a trivial weapon feli'd 
Their choicest youth ; they only liv'd who fled. 
Had Judah that day join'd, or one whole tribe, 
They had by this possess'd the towers of Gath, 
And lorded over them whom now they serve ; 
But what more oft in nations grown corrupt 
And by their vices brought to servitude, 
Than to love bondage more than liberty. 
Bondage with ease than strenuous liberty ; 
And to despise, or envy, or suspect 
Whom God hath of his special favour rais'd 
As their deliverer ; if he aught begin. 
How frequent to desert him, and at last 
To heap ingratitude on worthiest deeds ? 

Chor. Thy words to my remembrance bring 
How Succoth and the fort of Penuel 
Their great deliverer contemn'd, 
The matchless Gideon in pursuit 
Of Madian and her vanquish'd kings : 
And how ingrateful Ephraim 
Had dealt with Jephtha, who by argument. 



SAMSON AGONISTES. 105 

Kot worse than by his shield and spear, 
Defended Israel from the Ammonite 
Had not his prowess quell'd their pride 
In that sore battle, when so many died 
Without reprieve adjudg'd to death, 
For want of well pronouncing Shibboleth. 

Sams. Of such examples add me to the roll. 
Me easily indeed mine may neglect, 
But God's propos'd deliverance not so. 

Chor. Just are the ways of God, 
And justifiable to men : 
Unless there be who think not God at all ; 
If any be, they walk obscure ; 
For of such doctrine never was there school, 
But the heart of the fool, 
And no man therein doctor but himaelf. 
■ Yet more there be who doubt his ways not just, 
As to his own edicts found contradicting. 
Then give the reins to wand'ring thought, 
Regardless of his glory's diminution ; 
Till by their own perplexities involv'd 
They ravel more, still less resolv'd, 
But never find self-satisfying solution. 

As if they would confine th' Interminable, 
And tie him to his own prescript. 
Who made our laws to bind us, not himself. 
And hath full right t' exempt 
Whom so it pleases him by choice 
From national obstriction, without taint 
Of sin or legal debt : 
For with his own laws he can best dispense. 

He would not else who never wanted means, 
Nor in respect of th' enemy just cause 
To set his people free. 
Have prompted this heroic Nazarite, 
Against his vow of strictest purity, 
To seek in marriage that falacious bride, 
Unclean, unchaste. 

Down reason then, at least vain reasonings down, 



106 SAMSON AGONISTES. 

Though reason here aver 

That moral verdict quits her of unclean ; 

Unchaste was subsequent, her stain not his. 

But see here comes thy reverend sire 
With careful steps, locks white as down, 
Old Manoah : advise 
Forthwith how thou ought'st to receive him. 

Sams. Ah me, another inward grief awak'd 
With mention of that name renews th' assault. 

Man. Brethren and men of Dan, for such ye seem* 
Though in this uncouth place : if old respect 
As I suppose, towards your once gloried friend, 
My son now captive, hither hath inform'd 
Your younger feet, while mine cast back with 9%Q 
Came lagging after ; say if he be here. 

Chor. As signal now in low dejected state, 
As erst in highest, behold him where he lies. 

Man. O miserable change ! is this the man, 
That invincible Sampson, far renown'd, 
The dread of Israel's foes, who with a strength 
Equivalent to angels walk'd their streets, 
None offering fight ; who single combatant 
Duell'd their armies rank'd in proud array, 
Himself an army, now unequal match 
To save himself against a coward arm'd 
At one spear's length. O ever failing trust 
In mortal strength ! and oh what not in man 
Deceivable and vain ! Nay what thing good 
Pray'd for, but often proves our wo, our bane ^ 
I pray'd for children, and thought barrenness 
In wedlock a reproach ; I gain'd a son, 
And such a son as all men hail'd me happy : 
Who would be now a father in my stead ? 
O wherefore did God grant me my request, 
And as a blessing with such pomp adorn'd ? 
Why are his gifts desirable, to tempt 
Our earnest prayers, then given with solemn hand 
As graces draw a scorpion's tail behind ? 
For this did th' angels twice descend ? for this 



55AMSON AGONISTES. 107 

Ordain'd thy nurture holy, as of a plant 
Select, and sacred, glorious for awhile 
The miracle of men ; then in an hour 
[nsnar'd, assaulted, overcome, led bound, 
Thy foes' derision, captive, poor, and blind, 
nto a dungeon thrust, to work with slaves ? 
A.las ! methinks whom God hath chosen once 
To worthiest deeds, if he through frailty err, 
He should not so o'erwhelm, as a thrall 
Subject him to such foul indignities. 
Be it but for honour's sake of former deeds. 

Sams. Appoint not heavenly disposition, father ; 
Nothing of all these evils hath befallen me 
But justly ; I myself have brought them on, 
Sole author I, sole cause ; if aught seem vile, 
As vile hath been my folly, who have profan'd 
The mystery of God given me under pledge 
Of vow, and have betray'd it to a woman, 
A Canaanite, my faithless enemy. 
This well I knew, nor was at all surpris'd, 
But warn'd by oft experience ; did not she 
Of Timna first betray me, and reveal 
The secret wrested from me in her height 
Of nuptial love profess'd, carrying it straight 
To them who had corrupted her, my spies, 
A.nd rivals ? In this other was there found 
More faith, who also in her prime of love, 
Spousal embraces, vitiated with gold. 
Though ofier'd only, by the scent conceiv'd 
Her spurious first-born : treason against me ? 
Thrice she assay'd with flatt'ring prayers and sighs, 
And amorous reproaches, to win from me 
My capital secret, in what part my strength 
Lay stor'd, in what part summ'd, that she might 

know ; 
Thrice I deluded her, and turn'd to sport 
Her importunity, each time perceiving 
How openly, and with what impudence 
She purposed to betray me, and (which was worse 



X08 SAMSON AGONIST£&, 

Than tindi^embled hate) with what contempt 
She sought to make me traitor to myself; 
Yet the fourth time, when mustering all her wiles, 
With blandish'd parleys, feminine assaults, 
Tongue-batteries, she surceas'd not day nor night 
To storm me, over-watch'd, and wearied out 
4t times when men seeks most repose and rest, 
^ yielded, and unlock'd her all my heart, 
Who with a grain of manhood well resolv'd 
Might easily have shook off all her snares : 
But foul effeminaey held me yok'd 
Her bond slave ; O indignity, O blot 
To honour and religion ! servile mind 
Rewarded well with servile punishment ! 
The base degree to which I now am fallen. 
These rags, this grinding is not yet so base 
As was my former servitude, ignoble. 
Unmanly, ignominious, infamous. 
True slavery, and that blindness worse than this, 
That saw not how degenerately I serv'd. 

Man. I cannot praise thy marriage choices, son, 
Rather approv'd them not; but thou didst plead 
Divine impulsion, prompting how thou might'st 
Find some occasion to infest our foes. 
I state not that ; this I am sure, our foes 
Found soon occasion thereby to make thee 
Their captive, and their triumph ; thou the sooner 
Temptation found'st, or over-potent charms 
To violate the secret trust of silence 
Deposited within thee ; which to have kept 
Tacit, was in thy power : true ; and thou bear'st 
Enough, and more, the burden of that fault ; 
Bitterly hast thou paid, and still art paying 
That rigid score. A worse thing yet remains, 
This day the Philistines a popular feast 
Here celebrate in Gaza ; and proclaim 
Great pomp, and sacrifice, and praises loud 
To Dagon, as their god who hath deliver'd 
Thee, Samson, bound and blind into their hands, 



SAMSON AGONISTES. . 109 

Them out of thine, who slew'st them many a slain. 
So Dagon shall be magnified, and God, 
Besides whom is no god, compar'd with idols, 
Disglorified, blasphem'd, and had in scorn 
By the idolatrous rout amidst their wine ; 
Which to have come to pass by means of thee, 
Samson, of all thy sufferings think the heaviest, 
Of all reproach the most with shame that ever 
Could have befallen thee and thy father's house. 
Sams. Father, I do acknowledge and confess 
That I this honour, I this pomp have brought 
To Dagon, and advanc'd his praises high 
Among the Heathen round ; to God have brought 
Dishonour, obloquy, and op'd the mouths 
Of idolists, and atheists ; have brought scandal 
To Israel, diffidence of God, and doubt 
In feeble hearts, propense enough before 
To waver, or fall off and join with idols ; 
Which is my chief affliction, shame, and sorrow, 
The anguish of my soul, that suffers not 
Mine eye to harbour sleep, or thoughts to rest. 
This only hope relieves me, that the strife 
With me hath end ; all the contest is now 
'Twixt God and Dagon ; Dagon hath presumed, 
Me overthrown, to enter lists with God, 
His deity comparing and preferring 
Before the God of Abraham. He, be sure, 
Will not connive, or linger, thus provok'd, 
But will arise and his great name assert : ^ 
Dagon must stoop, and shall ere long receive 
Such a discomfit, as shall quite despoil him 
Of all these boasted trophies won on me, 
And with confusion blank his worshippers. 
Man. With cause this hope relieves me, and these 
words 
I as a propehcy receive ; For God, 
Nothing more certain, will not long defer 
To vindicate the glory of his name 
Against all competition, nor will long 
K 



110 SAMSON AGONISTES. 

Indure it doubtful whether God be Lord, 

Or Dagon. But for thee what shall be done ? 

Thou must not in the meanwhile here forgot 

Lie in this miserable loathsome plight 

Neglected. I already have made way 

To some Philistian lords, with whom to treat 

About thy ransom ; well they may by this 

Have satisfied their utmost of revenge 

By pains and slaveries, worse than death inflicted 

On thee, who now no more canst do them harm. 

Sams. Spare that proposal, father, spare the trouble 
Of that solicitation ; let me here, 
As I deserve, pay on my punishment ; 
And expiate, if possible, my crime, 
Shameful garrulity. To have reveal'd 
Secrets of men, the secrets of a friend. 
How heinous had the fact been, how deserving 
Contempt and scorn of all, to be excluded 
All friendship, and avoided as a blab, 
The mark of fool set on his front ? 
But I God's counsel have not kept, his holy secret 
Presumptuously have publish'd, impiously, 
Weakly at least, and shamefully : a sin 
That Gentiles in their parables condemn 
To their abyss and horrid pains confin'd. 

Man. Be penitent and for thy fault contrite, 
But act not in thy own affliction, son ; 
Repent the sin, but if the punishment 
Thou canst avoid, self-preservation bids ; 
Or th' execution leave to high disposal, 
A.nd let another hand, not thine, exart 
Thy penal forfeit from thyself; perhaps 
Ixod will relent, and quit thee all his debt ; 
Who ever more approves and more accepts 
(Best pleas'd with humMe and filial submission) 
Him who imploring mercy sues for life, 
Than who self rigorous chooses death as due ; 
Which argues over-just, and self-displeas'd 
For self-offence, more than for God offended. 



SAMSON AGONISTES. Ill 

Reject not then wKat offer'd means ; who knows 
But God hath set before us, to return thee 
Home to thy country and his sacred house, 
Where thou mayst bring thy offerings to avert 
His further ire, with prayers and vows renew'd? 

S^ms. His pardon I implore ; but as for life. 
To what end should I seek it ? when in strength 
All mortals I excell'd, and great in hopes 
With youthful courage and magnanimous thoughts 
Of birth from heaven foretold and high exploits, 
Full of divine instinct, after some proof 
Of acts indeed heroic, far beyond 
The sons of Anak, famous now and blaz'd, 
Fearless of danger, like a petty god 
I walk'd about admir'd of all, and dreaded 
On hostile ground, none daring my affront. 
Then swoln with pride into the snare I fell 
Of fair fallacious looks, venereal trains, 
Soften'd with pleasure and voluptuous life ; 
At length to lay my head and hallow'd pledge 
Of all my strength in the lacivious lap 
Of a deceitfiil concubine, who shore me, 
Like a tame wether, all my precious fleece. 
Then turn'd me out ridiculous, despoil'd, 
Shaven and disarm 'd among mine enemies. 

Chor. Desire of wine and all delicious drinks, 
Which many a famous warrior overturns. 
Thou couldst repress, nor did the dancing ruby. 
Sparkling, out pour'd the flavour or the smell. 
Or taste that cheers the hearts of gods and men, 
Allure thee from the cool crystalline stream. 

Sams. Wherever fountain or fresh current flow'd 
^.gainst the eastern ray, translucent, pure, 
With touch ethereal of heaven's fiery rod, 
C drank, from the clear milky juice allaying 
Thirst, and refresh'd ; nor envied them the grape 
Whose heads that turbulent liquor fills with fumes. 

Chor. O madness, to think use of strongest wines 
Aud strongesj drinks our chief support of health, 



112 SAMSOK AGONiSfSS. 

When God with these forbidden made choice to reat 
His mi'ghty champion, strong above compare, 
Whose drink was only from the liquid brook. 

Sams. But what avail'd this temp 'ranee, not com- 
plete 
A.gainst another object more enticing ? 
What boots it at one gate to make defence, 
And at another to let in the foe. 
Effeminately vanquish'd ? by which means, 
Now blind, dishearten'd, sham'd, dishonour'd, quell'd, 
To what can I be useful, wherein serve 
My nation, and the work from heaven impos'd, 
But to sit idle on the household hearth, 
A burdenous drone ; to visitants a gaze, 
Or pitied object, these redundant locks 
Robustuous to no purpose clust'ring down. 
Vain monument of strength ; till length of years 
And sedentary numbness craze mj limbs 
To a contemptible old age obscure ; 
Here rather let me drudge and earn my breads 
Till vermin or the draff of servile food 
Consume me, and oft-invocated death 
Hasten the welcome end of all my pains. 

Man. Wilt thou then serve the Philistines with 
that gift 
Which was expressly given thee to annoy them ? 
Better at home lie bed-rid, not only idle, 
Inglorious, unemploy'd, with age out-worn. 
But God who caus'd a fountain at thy prayer 
From the dry ground to spring, thy thirst t' allay 
After the brunt of battle, can as easy 
Cause light again within thy eyes to spring. 
Wherewith to serve him better than thou hast ; 
And I persuade me so ; why else this strength 
Miraculous yet remaining in those locks ? 
His might continues in thee not for naught, 
Nor shall his wondrous gifts be frustrate thus. 

Sam.s. All otherwise to me my thoughts portend, 
That these dark orbs no more shall treat with light, 



SAMSON AGONISTES- 113 

Nor th' other light of life continue long. 
But yield to double darkness nigh at hand : 
So much I feel my genial spirits droop, 
My hopes all flat, nature within me seems 
In all her functions weary of herself, 
My race of glory run, and race of shame, 
And I shall shortly be with them that rest. 

Man, Believe not these suggestions which proceed 
From anguish of the mind and humours black 
That mingle with thy fancy. I, however. 
Must not omit a father's timely care 
To prosecute the means of thy deliverance 
By ransom, or how else : meanwhile be calm, 
And healing words from these thy friends admit. 

Sams. O that torment should not be confin'd 
To th« body's wounds and sores, 
With maladies innumerable 
In heart, head, breast and reins ; 
But must secret passage find 
To th' inmost mind, 
There exercise all his fierce accidents, 
And on her purest spirits prey, 
As on entrails, joints, and limbs, 
With answerable pains but more intense, 
Though void of corporal sense. 

My griefs not only pain me 
As a ling'ring disease, 
But fi.nding no redress ferment and rage, 
Nor less than wounds immedicable 
Rankle, and fester, and gangrene 
To black mortification. 

Thoughts, my tormentors arm'd with deadly stings 
Maagle my apprehensive tenderest parts, 
Exasperate, exulcerate, and raise 
Dire inflammation, which no cooling herb 
Or medicinal liquor can assuage, 
Nor breath of vel^nal air from snowy Alp. 
Sleep hath forsook and given me o'er 
To death's benumbing opium as my only cure : 



114 SAMSOK AGONISTES. 

Thence faintings, swoonings of despait, 
And sense of heaven's desertion. 

I was his nursling once and choice delight, 
His destin'd from the womb, 
Promis'd by heavenly message twice descending ; 
Under his special eye 
Abstemious I grew up and thriv'd amain ; 
He led me on to mightiest deeds 
Above the nerve of mortal arm 
Against th' uncircumcis'd, our enemies ; 
But now hath cast me off as never known, 
And to those cruel enemies, 
Whom I by his appointment had provok'd, 
Left me all helpless with th' irreparable loss 
Of sight, reserved alive to be repeated 
The subject of their cruelty or scorn. 
Nor am 1 in the list of them that hope ; 
Hopeless are all my evils, all remediless ; 
This one prayer yet remains, might I be heard© 

No long petition, speedy death, 

The close of all my miseries, and the balm. 
Chor. Many are the sayings of the wise, 

In ancient and in modern books inroll'd, 

Extolling patience as the truest fortitude ; 

And to the bearing well of all calamities. 

All chances incident to man's frail life, 

Consolatories writ 

"With studied argument and much persuasioi: sought. 

Lenient of grief and anxious thought : 

But with th' afflicted in his pangs their sound 

Little prevails, or rather seems a tune 

Harsh, and of dissonant mood from his complaint ! 

Unless he feel within 

Some source of consolation from above, 

Secret refreshings, that repair his strength, 

And fainting spirits uphold. 

God of our fathers, what is man ! 

That thou tow'rds him with hand so variofus, 

Or might I say contrarious, 



SAMSON AGONISTES. 115 

Temper'st tliy providence through his short course, 

Not evenly as thou rul'st 

Th' angelic orders and inferior creatures mute, 

Irrational and brute. 

Nor do I name of men the common rout, 

That wand'ring loose about 

Grow up and perish, as the summer fly, 

Heads without name no more remember'd, 

But such as thou hast solemnly elected. 

With gifts and graces eminently adorn'd 

To some great work, thy glory. 

And people's safety, which in part they effect : 

Yet toward these thus dignified, thou oft, 

Amidst their height of noon, 

Changest thy countenance, and thy hand with no 

regard 
Of highest favours past 
From thee on them, or them to thee of service. 

Nor only dost degrade them, or remit 
To hfe obscur'd, which were a fair dismission, 
iiut throw'st them lower than thou didst exalt them 

high. 
Unseemly falls in human eye, 
Too grievous for the trespass or omission; 
Uit leav'st them to the hostile sword 
Of heathen and profane, their carcasses 
1 dogs and fowls a prey, or else captiv^d ; 
t>r to th' unjust tribunals, under change of times 
And condemnation of th' ungrateful multitude. 
It these they 'scape, perhaps in poverty 
With sickness and disease thou bow'st them down, 
I'amful diseases and deform 'd. 
In crude old age : 



Though not disordinate, yet causeless suff'ring- 
llie punishment of dissolute days : in fine 
Just or unjust, alike seem miserable, ' 

For oft alike both come to evil end 

Th!'im?i'''r .'f ^' l^'' T^ '^^ ^^^"«^« cliampion. 
The image of thy strength, and mighty minister. 



116 SAMSON AGONISTES. 

What do I beg ? how hast thou dealt already f 
Behold him in this state calamitous, and turn 
His labours, for thou canst, to peaceful end. 

But who is this, M^hat thing of sea or land ? 
Female of sex it seems, 
That so bedeck'd, ornate, and gay, 
Comes this way sailing 
Like a stately ship 
Of Tarsus, bound for th' isles 
Of Javan or Gadire, 

With all her bravery on, and tackle trim, 
Sails fill'd, and streamers waving, 
Courted by all the winds that hold them play, 
An amber scent of odorous perfume 
Her harbinger, a damsel train behind; 
Some rich Philistian matron she may seem, 
And now at nearer view, no other certain 
Than Dalila thy wife. 

Sa77is, My wife, my trait'ress, let her not come 
near me. 

Chor. Yet on she moves, now stands, and eyes 
thee fix'd 
About t' have spoke, but now, with head declin'd, 
Like a fair flower surcharg'd with dew, she weeps, 
And words address'd seem into tears dissolved. 
Wetting the borders of her silken veil : 
But now again she makes address to speak. 

Dal. With doubtful feet and wavering resolution 
T came, still dreading thy displeasure, Samson, 
Which to have merited, without excuse, 
I cannot but acknowledge ; yet if tears 
May expiate (though the fact more evil drew 
In the perverse event than I foresaw) 
My penance hath not slacken'd, though my pardon 
No way assur'd. But conjugal affection 
Prevailing over fear, and timorous doubt, 
Hath led me on, desirous to behold 
Once more thy face, and know of thy estate, 
If aught in my^ ability may serve 



SAMSON AGONISTES. 117 

*ro lighten what thou suffer'»t, and appease 
Thy mind with what amends is in my power, 
Though late, yet in some part to recompense 
My rash but more unfortunate misdeed. 

Sams. Out, out hyaena ; these are thy wonted arts, 
And arts of every woman false like thee, 
To break all faith, all vows, deceive, betray. 
Then as repentant to submit, beseech. 
And reconcilement move with feign'd remorse, 
Confess, and promise wonders in her change, 
Not truly penitent, but chief to try 
Her husband, how far urg'd his patience bears. 
His virtue or weakness which way to assail : 
Then with more cautious and instructed skill 
Again transgresses, and again submits ; 
That wisest and best men full oft beguil'd 
With goodness principled not to reject 
The penitent, but ever to forgive, 
Are drawn to wear out miserable days, 
Intangled with a pois'nous bosom snake, 
If not by quick destruction soon cut off 
As I by thee, to ages an example. 

Dal. Yet hear me, Samson ; not that I endeavour 
To lessen or extenuate my offence, 
But that on th' other side if it be weigh'd 
By itself, with aggravations not surcharg'd. 
Or else with just allowance counterpois'd, 
I may, if possible, thy pardon find 
The easier towards me, or thy hatred less. 
First granting, as I do, it was a weakness 
In me, but incident to all our sex, 
Curiosity, inquisitive, importune 
Of secrets, then with like infirmity 
To publish them, both common female faults : 
Was it not weakness also to make known 
For importunity, that is for naught. 
Wherein consisted all thy strength and safety ? 
To what I did thou show'dst me first the way, 
But I to enemies reveal'd, and should not* 



lis SAMSON AGONISTF.S. 

Nor shouldst thou have trusted that to woman's 

frailty : 
Ere 1 to thee, thou to thyself was cruel. 
Let weakness then with weakness come to parle 
So near related, or the same of kind, 
Thine forgive mine ; that men may censure thine 
The gentler, if severely thou exact not 
More strength from me, than in thyself was found. 
And what if love, which thou interpret'st hate, 
The jealousy of love, powerful of sway 
In human hearts, nor less in mine tow'rds thee, 
Caus'd what I did ? I saw thee mutable 
Of fancy, fear'd lest one day thou wouldst leave me 
As her at Timna, sought by all means therefore 
How to endear, and hold thee to me firmest : 
No better way I sav/ than by importuning 
To learn thy secrets, get into my power 
The key of strength and safety : thou wilt say. 
Why then reveal'd ? I v/as assur'd by those 
Who tempted me, that nothing was design'd 
Against thee but safe custody, and hold : 
That made for me ; I knew that liberty 
Would draw thee forth to perilous enterprises, 
While I at home sat full of cares and fears, 
Wailing thy absence in my widow'd bed ; 
Here I should still enjoy thee day and night 
Mine and love's prisoner, not the Philistines, 
Whole to myself, unhazarded abroad, 
Fearless at home of partners in my love. 
These reasons in love's law have pass'd for good, 
Though fond and reasonless to some perhaps : 
And love hath oft, well meaning, wrought much wo 
Yet always pity or pardon hath obtain'd. 
Be not unlike all others, not austere 
As thou art strong, inflexible as steel. 
If thou in strength all mortals dost exceed. 
In uncompassionate anger do not so. 

Sams. How cunningly the sorceress displays 
Her own transgressions, to upbraid me mine ? 



SAMSON AGONISTES. 



119 



That malice not repentance brought thee hither, 

By this appears ; I gave, thou say'st, th' example, 

I led the way ; bitter reproach, but true ; 

I to myself was false ere thou to mo ; 

Such pardon therefore as I give my folly, 

Take to thy wicked deed ; which when thou see'st 

Impartial, self-severe, inexorable. 

Thou wilt renounce thy seeking, and much rather 

Confess it feign'd ; weakness is thy excu^se, 

And I believe it, weakness to resist 

Philistian gold : if weakness may excuse. 

What murderer, what traitor, parricide, 

Incestuous, sacrilegious, but may plead it ? 

All wickedness is weakness : that plea, therefoi \ 

With God or man will gain thee no remission. 

But love constrain'd thee ; call it furious rage 

To satisfy thy lust ; love seeks to have love ; 

My love how couldst thou hope, who took'st the way 

To raise in me inexpiable hate, 

Knowing, as needs I must, by thee betray'd ? 

In vain thou striv'st to cover shame with shame, 

Or by evasions thy crime uncover'st more. 

Dal. Since thou determin'st weakness for no plea 
In man or woman, though to thy own condemning, 
Hear what assaults I had, what snares besides. 
What sieges girt me round, ere I consented ; 
Which might have aw'd the best resolv'd of men, 
The constantest, to have yielded without blame. 
It was not gold, as to my charge thou lay'st. 
That wrought with me : thou know'st the magis- 
trates 
A.nd princes of my country came in person, 
Solicited, commanded, threaten'd, urged, 
Adjur'd by all the bonds of civil duty 
And of religion, press'd how just it was. 
How honourable, how glorious to entrap 
A common enemy, who had destroy'd 
Such numbers of our nation : and the priest 
Was not behind but ever at my ear, 



120 SAMSON AGONISTES. 

Preaching how meritorious with the gods 

It would be to ensnare an irreligious 

Dishonourer of Dagon : what had I 

T' oppose against such powerful arguments? 

Only my love of thee held long debate, 

And combated in silence all these reasons 

With hard contest : at length that grounded maxim 

So rife and celebrated in the mouths 

Of wisest men, that to the public good 

Private respects must yield, with grave authority 

Took full possesion of me and prevail'd ; 

Virtue, as I thought, truth, duty so enjoining. 

Sams. I thought where all thy circling wiles would 
end ; 
In feign'd religion, smooth hypocrisy. 
But had thy love, still odiously pretended. 
Been as it ought, sincere, it would have taught thee 
Far other reasonings, brought forth other deeds. 
I, before all the daughters of my tribe 
And of my nation, chose thee from among 
My enemies, lov'd thee, as too well (fhou knew'st, 
Too well, unbosom'd all my secrets to thee, 
Not out of levity, but over-power'd 
By thy request, who could deny thee nothing ; 
Yet now am judg'd an enemy. Why then 
Oidst thou at first receive me for thy husband, 
Then, as since then, thy country's foe profess'd? 
Being once a wife, for me thou wast to leave 
Parents and country ; nor was I their subject, 
Nor under their protection but my own, 
Thou mine, not theirs : if aught against my life 
Thy country sought of thee, it sought unjustly, 
Against the law of nature, law of nations ; 
No more thy country but an impious crew 
Of men conspiring to uphold their state 
By worse than hostile deeds, violating the ends 
For which our country is a name so dear ; 
Not therefore to be obey'd. But zeal mov'd thee; 
To please thy gods thou didst it ; gods unable 



SAMSON AGONISTJLS. 121 

T' acquit themselves and prosecute their foes 

But by ungodly deeds ; the contradiction 

Of their own deity, gods cannot be ; 

Less therefore to be pleased, obey'd, or fear'd. 

These false pretexts and varnish'd colours failing, 

Bare in thy guilt how foul must thou appear ? 

Dal. In argument with men a woman ever 
Goes by the worse, whatever be her cause. 

Sams. For want of words no doubt, or lack of 
breath ; 
Witness when I was worried with thy peals. 

Dal. I was a fool, too rash, and quite mistaken 
In what I thought would have succeeded best. 
Let me obtain forgiveness of thee, Samson, 
Afford me place to show what recompense 
Tow'rds thee I intend for what I have misdone, 
Misguided ; only what remains past cure 
Bear not too sensibly, nor still insist 
To afflict thyself in vain : though sight be lost, 
Life yet hath many solaces, enjoy 'd, 
Where other senses want not their delights, 
At home, in leisure and domestic ease. 
Exempt from many a care and chance to which 
Eye-sight exposes daily men abroad. 
I to the lords wiJl intercede, not doubting 
Their favourable ear, that I may fetch thee 
From forth this loathsome prison-house, to abide 
With me, where my redoubled love and care 
With nursing diligence, to me glad office, 
May ever tend about thee to old age 
With all things grateful cheer'd, and so supplied, 
That what by me thou hast lost thou least shal 
miss. 

Sams. No, no, of my condition take no care ; 
It fits not ; thou and I long since are twain ; 
Nor think me so unwary or accurs'd. 
To bring my feet again into the snare 
Where once I have been caught ; I know thy trains 
Though dearly to my cost, thy gins, and toils j 
1^ 



122 SAMSON AGONISTES. 

Thy fair enchanted cup, and warbling charms 

No more on me have power, their force is null'd, 

So much of adder's wisdom I have learn'd 

To fence my ear against thy sorceries. 

If in my flower of youth and strength, when all men 

Lov'd, honour'd, fear'd me, thou alone could&t hate me 

Thy husband, slight me, sell me, and forego me ; 

How wouldst thou use me now, blind, and thereby 

Deceivable, in most things as a child 

Helpless, thence easily contemn'd, and scorn'd, 

And last neglected ? How w^ouldst thou insult, 

When I must live uxorious to thy will 

In perfect thraldom, how again betray me, 

Bearing my words and doings to the lords 

To gloss upon, and censuring, frown or smile ? 

This jail I count the house of liberty 

To thine, whose doors my feet shall never enter. 

Dal. Let me approach at least, and touch thy 
hand. 

Sams. Not for thy life, lest fierce remembrance 
wake 
My sudden rage to tear thee joint by joint. 
At distance I forgive thee, go with that ; 
Bew^ail thy falsehood, and the pious works 
It hath brought forth to make thee memorable 
Among illustrious women, faithful wives : 
Cherish thy hasten'd widowhood with the gold 
Of matrimonial treason : so farewell. 

Dal. I see thou art implacable, more deaf 
To prayers, than winds and seas, yet winds to seas 
Are reconcil'd at length, and sea to shore ; 
Thy anger, unappeasible, still rages, 
Eternal tempest never to be calm'd. 
"Why do I humble thus myself, and suing 
For peace, reap nothing but repulse and hate ? 
Bid go with evil omen and the brand 
Of infamy upon my name denounc'd ? 
To mix with thy concernments I desist 
Henceforth, nor too much disapprove my own. 



SAMSON AGONISTES. 123 

Fame, if not double fac'd is double moutn'd, 

And with contrarjr blast proclaims most deeds ; 

On both his wings, one black, the other white, 

Bears greatest names in his wild airy flight. 

My name perhaps among the circumcis'd 

In Dan, in Judah, and the bordering tribe?. 

To all posterity may stand defam'd, 

With malediction mention'd, and the blot 

Of falsehood most unconjugal traduc'd. 

But in my country, where I most desire, 

In Ecron, Gaza, Asdod, and in Gath, 

I shall be nam'd among the famousest 

Of women, sung at solemn festivals, 

Living and dead recorded, who to save 

Her country from a fierce destroyer, chose 

Above the faith of wedlock-bands, my tomb 

With odours visited, and annual flowers ; 

Not less renown'd than in mount Ephraim 

Jael, who with inhospitable guile 

Smote Sisera sleeping, through the temples nail'd. 

Nor shall I count it heinous to enjoy 

The public marks of honour and reward 

Conferr'd upon me, for the piety 

Which to my country I was judg'd to have shown. 

At this who ever envies or repines, 

I leave him to his lot, and like my own. 

Chor. She's gone, a manifest serpent by her sting 
Discover'd in the end, till now conceal'd. 

Sams. So let her go, God sent her to debase me, 
And aggravate my folly, who committed 
To such a viper his most sacred trust 
Of secresy, my safety and my life. 

Chor. Yet beauty, though injurious, hath stramre 
power. 
After offence returning, to regain 
Love once possess'd, nor can be easily 
Repuls'd without much inward passion felt 
And secret sting of amorous remorse. 



124 



SAMSON AGONISTES. 



Sams. LoTc quarrels oft in pleasing concord end, 
Not wedlock-treach'ry endangering life. 

Chor, It is not virtue, wisdom, valour, wit, 
Strength, comliness of shape, or amplest merit 
That woman's love can win or long inherit ; 
But what it is, hard is to say, 

arder to hit, 
(Which way soever men refer it,) 
Much like thy riddle, Samson, in one day, 
Or seven, though one should musing sit. 

If any of these or all, the Timnian bride 
Had not so soon preferr'd 
Thy paranymph, worthless to thee compared 
Successor in thy bed, 
^or but so loosely disallied 
Their nuptials, not this last so treacherously 
Had shorn the fatal harvest of thy head. 
Is it for that such outward ornament 
Was lavish'd on their sex, that inward gifts 
Were left for haste Unfinish'd, judgment scant, 
Capacity not rais'd to apprehend 
Or value what is best 
In choice, but oftesf to affect the wrong ? 
Or was too much of self-love mix'd. 
Of constancy no root infix'd. 
That either they love nothing, or not long ? 

What'er it be to wisest men and best. 
Seeming at first all heavenly under virgin veil, 
Soft, modest, meek, demure. 
Once join'd, the contrary she proves, a thorn 
Intestine, far within defensive arms 
4. cleaving mischief, in his way to virtue 
A-dverse and turbulent, or by her charms 
Draws him awry enslav'd 
With dotage, and his sense deprav'd 
To folly and shameful deeds which ruin ends. 
What pilot so expert but needs must wreck 
Embark'd with such a steersmate at the helm ? 

Favoured of heaven who finds 



SAMSON AGONISTES. 125 

One virtuous rarely found, 

That in domestic good combines : 

Happy that house ! his way to peace is smooth. 

But virtue which breaks through all opposition, 

And all temptation can remove. 

Most shines and most is acceptable above. 

Therefore God's universal law 
Gave to the man despotic power 
Over his female in due awe, 
Not from that right to part an hour. 
Smile she or lour : 
So shall he least confusion draw 
On his whole life, not sway'd 
By female usurpation, or dismay'd. 
But had we best retire, I see a storm ? 

Sams. Fair days have oft contracted ^vind and rain. 

Chor. But tliis another kind of tempest brings. 

Sams. Be less abstruse, my riddling days are past. 

Chor. Look now for no enchanting voice, nor fear 
The bait of honied w^ords ; a rougher tongue 
Draws hitherwards, I know him by his stride, 
The giant Harapha of Gath, his look 
Haughty as is his pile high-built and proud. 
Comes he in peace ? what wind hath blown him 

hither 
I less conjecture than when first I saw 
The sumptuous Dalila floating this way : 
His habit carries peace, his brow defiance. 

Sams. Or peace or not, alike to me he comes. 

Chor. His fraught w^e soon shall know, he now 
arrives. 

Har. I come not, Samson, to condole thy chance, 
A.S these perhaps, yet wish it had not been, 
Though for no friendly intent. I am of Gath : 
Men call me Harapha, of stock renown'd 
As Og or Anak and the Emims old 
That Kiriathaim held, thou know'st me now 
If thou at all art known. Much I have heard 
Of thy prodigious might and feats perform'd 
L* 



126 SAMSON AGONISTES. 

Incredible to me, in this displeas'd 

That I was never present on the place 

Of those encounters, where we might have tried 

Each other's force in camp or listed field : 

And now am come to see of whom such noise 

Hath walk'd about, and each limb to survey, 

If thy appearance answer loud report. 

Sams. The way to know were not to see but laste. 

Har. Dost thou already single me ? I thought 
Gyves and the mill had tam'd thee. O that fortune 
Had brought me to the field, where thou art fam'd 
To have wrought such wonders with an ass' jaw; 
I should have forc'd thee soon wish other arms, 
Or left thy carcass where the ass lay thrown : 
So had the glory of prowess been recover'd 
To Palestine, won by a Philistine 
From the unforeskin'd race, of whom thou bear'st 
The highest name for valiant acts ; that honour 
Certain to have won by mortal duel from thee, 
I lose, prevented by thy eyes put out. 

Sams. Boast not of what thou would'st have done, 
but do 
What then thou wouldst, thou seest it in thy hand. 

Har. To combat with a blind man I disdain, 
And thou hast need much washing to be touch'd. 

Sams. Such usage as your honourable lords 
AfTord me, assassinated and betray'd. 
Who durst not with their whole united powers 
In fight withstand me single and unarm'd, 
Nor in the house with chamber ambushes 
Close-banded durst attack me, no not sleeping, 
Till they had hir'd a woman with their gold, 
Breaking her marriage faith to circumvent me. 
Therefore without feign'd shifts let be assign'd 
Some narrow place enclos'd where sight may give 

thee. 
Or rather flight, no great advantage on me ; 
Then put on all thy gorgeous arms, thy helmet 
And brigandine of brass, thy broad habergeon. 



5^ 



SAMSON AGONISTES. 127 

Vant-brass and greaves, and guantlet, add thy spear, 
A weaver's beam, and seven-times-folded shield, 
I only with an oaken staff will meet thee 
And raise such outcries on thy clatter'd iron, 
Which long shall not withhold me from thy head. 
That in a little time while breath remains thee, 
Thou oft shalt wish thyself at Gath to boast 
Again in safety what thou wouldst have done 
To Samson, but shah never see Gath more. 

Har. Thou durst not thus disparage glorious arms. 
Which greatest heroes have in battle worn, 
Their ornament and safety, had not spells 
And black enchantments, some magician's art 
Armed thee, or charmed thee strong which thou from 

heaven 
Feign'dst at thy birth was given thee in thy hair, 
Where strength can least abide, though all thy hairs 
Were bristles, rang'd like those that ridge the back 
Of chaf 'd wild boars, or ruffled porcupines. 

Sams. I know no spells, use no forbidden arts ; 
My trust is in the living God, Vv^ho gave me 
At my nativity this strength, diffus'd 
No less through all my sinews, joints and bones. 
Than thine, while I preserv'd these locks unshorn, 
The pledge of my unviolated vow. 
For proof hereof, if Dagon be thy god, 
Go^ to his temple, invocate his aid " 
With splemnest devotion, spread before him 
How highly it concerns his glory now 
To frustrate and dissolve these magic spells. 
Which I to be the power of Israel's God 
A. vow, and challenge Dagon to the test, 
Offering to combat thee his champion bold 
With th' utmost of his godhead seconded : 
Then thou shalt see, or rather to thy sorrow 
Soon feel, whose God is strongest, thine or mine. 
Har. Presume not on thy God, whate'er he be. 
Thee he regards not, owns not, hath cut off 
Quite from his people, and deliver'd up 



128 SAMSON AGONISTES. 

Into thy enemies' hand, permitted them 
To put out both thine eyes, and fetter'd send the^ 
Into the common prison, there to grind 
Among the slaves and asses, thy comrades, 
As good for nothing else, no better service 
With those thy boist'rous locks, no worthy match 
For valour to assail, nor by the sword 
Of noble warrior, so to stain his honour, 
But by the barber's razor best subdued. 

Sams. All these indignities, for such they are 
From thine, these evils I deserve and more, 
Acknowledge them from God inflicted on me 
Justly, yet despair not of his final pardon. 
Whose ear is ever open, and his eye 
Gracious to re-admit the suppliant ; 
In confidence whereof I once again 
Defy thee to the trial of mortal fight. 
By combat to decide whose god is God, 
Thine, or whom I with Israel's sons adore. 

Har. Fair honour that thou dost thy God, in trusting 
He will accept thee to defend his cause, 
A murderer, a revolter, and a robber. 

Sa?ns. Tongue-doughty Giant how dost thou prove 

me these ? 
Har. Is not thy nation subject to our lords ? 
Their magistrates confess'd it, when they took thee 
As a league-breaker, and deliver'd bound 
Into our hands : for hadst thou not committed 
Notorious murder on those thirty men 
At Ascalon, who never did thee harm, 
Then like a robber stripp'dst them of their robes ? 
The Philistines, Avhen thou had'st broke the league, 
Went up with armed powers thee only seeking. 
To others did no violence nor spoil. 

Sams. Among the datighters of the Philistines 
I chose a wife, which argued me no foe ; 
And in your city held my nuptial feast : 
But your ill-meaning politician lords. 
Under pretence of bridal friends and giiests, 



SAMSON AGONISTES. 129 



Appointed to await me thirty spies, 

Who threat'ning cruel death constrain'd the bride 

To wring from me and tell to them my secret, 

That solv'd the riddle which I had propos'd 

When I perceiv'd all set on enmity, 

As on my enemies, wherever chanc'd 

I us'd hostility, and took their spoil 

To pay my underminers in their coin. 

My nation was subjected to your lords. 

It was the force of conquest ; force with force 

Is well ejected, when the conquer'd can. 

But I a private person, whom my country, 

As a league-breaker, gave up bound, presum'd 

Single rebellion and did hostile acts ; 

I was no private but a person rais'd 

With strength sufficient and command from Heav'n 

To free my country ; if their servile minds 

Me their deliverer sent would not receive, 

But to their masters gave me up for naught, 

Th' unworthier they ', whence to this day they serve* 

I was to do my part from heaven assign'd. 

And had perform'd it if my known offence 

Had not disabled me, not all your force : 

These shifts refuted, answer thy appellant 

Though by his blindness maim'd for high attempts 

Who now defies thee thrice to single fight. 

As a petty enterprize of small enforce. 

Har. With thee a man condemn'd, a slave enroll'd, 
Due by the law to capital punishment ? 
To fight with thee no man of arms will deign. 

Sams. Cam'st thou for this, vain boaster to sur 
vey me, 
To descant on my strength, and give thy verdict ? 
Come nearer, part not hence so slight inform'd; 
But take good heed my hand survey not thee. 

Har. O Baal-zebub I can my ears unus'd 
Hear these dishonours, and not render death ? 

Sams. No man withholds thee, nothing from thy 
hand 



130 SAMSON AGONISTES, 

Fear I incurable ; bring up thy van, 
My heels are fetter'd, but my fist is free. 

Har. This insolence other kind of answer fits 
Sams. Go, baffled coward, lest I run upon thee, 
Though in these chains, bulk without spirit vast, 
4nd with one buffet lay thy structure low, 
!)r swing thee in the air, then dash thee down 
To the hazard of thy brains and shatter'd sides. 
Har. By Astaroth ere long thou shalt lament 
These braveries in irons loaden on thee. 

Chor. His giantship is gone somewhat crest-fallen, 
Stalking with less unconscionable strides, 
And lower looks, but in a sultry chafe. 

Sam. I dread him not, nor all his giant-brood 
Though fame divulge him Father of five sons, 
All of gigantic size, Goliah chief. 

Chor. He will directly to the lords, I fear. 
And with malicious counsel stir them up 
Some way or other yet further to afflict thee. 

Sams. He must allege some cause, and offer 'd fight 
Will not dare mention, lest a question rise 
Whether he durst accept the offer or not. 
And that he durst not plain enough appear'd, 
Much more affliction than already felt 
They cannot well impose, nor I sustain, 
If they intend advantage of my labours, 
The work of many hands which earns my keeping 
With no small profit daily to my owners. 
But come what will, my deadliest foe will prove 
My speediest friend, by death to rid me hence. 
The worst that he can give, to me the best. 
Yet so it may fall out, because their end 
s, hate, not help to me, it may with mine 
Draw their own ruin who attempt the deed. 

Chor. O how comely it is, and how reviving 
For the spirits of just men long oppress'd. 
When God into the hands of their deliverer 
Puts invincible might 
To quell the mighty of the earth, th' oppressor, 



SAMSON AGONISTES. 131 

The brute and boist'rous force of violent men 

Hardy and industrious to support 

Tyrannic power, but raging to pursue 

The righteous, and all such as honour truth ; 

He all their ammunition 

And feats of war defeats 

With plain heroic magnitude of mind, 

And celestial vigour arm'd, 

Their armouries and magazines contemns. 

Renders them useless, while 

With winged expedition 

Swift as the lightning glance he executes 

His errand on the wicked, who surpris'd 

Lose their defence distracted and amazed. 

But patience is more oft the exercise 
Of saints, the trial of their fortitude. 
Making them each his own deliverer, 
And victor over all 
That tyranny or fortune can inflict, 
Either of these is in thy lot 
Samson, with might indued 
Above the sons of men ; but sight bereav'd 
May chance to number thee with those 
Whom patience finally must crown. 

This idol's day hath been to thee no day of rest, 
Labouring thy mind 
More than the working day thy hands. 
And yet perhaps more trouble is behind. 
For I descry this way 
Some other tending, in his hand 
A sceptre or quaint staff he bears, 
•Comes on amain, speed in his look. 
By his habit I discern him now 
A public officer, and now at hand. 
His message will be short and voluble. 

Off. Hebrews, the prisoner Samson here I seek. 

Chor. His manacles remark him, there he sits. 

Off. Samson, to thee our lords thus bid me say : 
This day to Dagon is a solemn feast, 



132 SAMSON AGONISTES. 

With sacrifices, triumph, pomp, and games ; 
Thy strength they know surpassing human rate, 
And now some public proof thereof require 
To honour this great feast, and great assembly ; 
Rise therefore, with all speed and come along, 
Where I will see thee hearten'd and fresh clad 
To appear as fits before th' illustrious lords. 

Sams, Thou know'st I am an Hebrew, therefore tel 
them, 
Our law forbids at their religious rites 
My presence ; for that cause I cannot come. 

Off. This answer, be assur'd, will not content them. 

Sams. Have they not sword-players, and every sort 
Of gymnic artists, wrestlers, riders, runners. 
Jugglers and dancers, antics, mummers, mimics, 
But they must pick me out with shackles tir'd, 
And over-labour'd at their public mill. 
To make them sport with blind activity ? 
Do they not seek occasion of new quarrels 
On my refusal to distress me more. 
Or make a game of my calamities ? 
Return the way thou cam'st, I will not come. 

Off. Regard thyself, this will ofiend them highly, 

Sams. Myself ! my conscience and internal peace. 
Can they think me so broken, so debas'd 
With corporal servitude, that my mind ever 
Will condescend to such absurd commands ? 
Although their drudge, to be their fool or jester, 
And in my midst of sorrow and heart grief 
To show them feats, and play before their god. 
The worst of all indignities, yet on me 
Join'd with extreme contempt ? I will not come. 

Off. My message was impos'd on me with speed, 
Brooks no delay : is this thy resolution ? 

Sams. So take it Avith what speed thy message 
needs. 

Off. I am sorry what this stoutness will produce. 

Sams. Perhaps thou shalt have cause to sorrow 
indeed. 



SAMSON AGONISTES. 133 

Chor. Consider, Samson ; matters now are strain 'd 
Up to the height, whether to hold or break ; 
He's gone, and who knows how he may report 
Tliy words by adding fuel to the flame ? 
Expect another message more imperious, 
More loudly thund'ring than thou well wilt bear 

Sams. Shall I abuse this consecrated gift 
Of strength, again returning with my hair 
After my great transgression, so requite 
Favour renew'd, and add a greater sin 
By prostituting holy things to idols ; 
A Nazarite in place abominable. 
Vaunting my strength in honour to their Dagon ? 
Besides how vile, contemptible, ridiculous. 
What act more execrably unclean, profane ? 

Chor. Yet with this strength thou serv'st the Phi- 
listines, 
Idolatrous, uncircumcis'd, unclean. 

Sams. Not in their idol-worship, but by labour 
Honest and lawful to deserve my food 
Of those who have me in their civil power. 

Chor. Where the heart joins not, outward acts 
defile not. 

Sam^. Where outward force constrains, the sen- 
tence holds. 
But who constrains me to the temple of Dagon, 
Not dragging ? the Philistian lords command. 
Commands are no constraints. If I obey them, 
I do it freely, vent'ring to displease 
God for the fear of man, and man prefer, 
Set God behind : which in his jealousy 
Shall never, unrepented, find forgiveness. 
Fet that he may dispense with me or thee 
Present in temples at idolatrous rites 
For some important cause, thou need'st not doubt. 

Chor. How thou wilt here come off surmounts my 
reach. % 

Sams. Be of good courage, I begin to feel 
Some rousing motions in me which dispose 
M 



134 SAMSON AGONISTES. 

To something extraordinary my thoughts. 
I with this messenger will go along, 
Nothing to do, be sure, that may dishonour 
Our law, or stain my vow of Nazarite, 
If there be aught of presage in the mind, 
This day will be remarkable in my life 
By some great act, or of my days the last. 

Chor. In time thou hast resolv'd, the man returns. 

Off. Samson, this second message from our lords 
To thee I am bid say : Art thou our slave^ 
Our captive, at the public mill our drudge, 
And dar'st thou at our sending and command 
Dispute thy coming ? come without delay ; 
Or we shall find such engines ta assail 
And hamper thee, as thou shalt come of force, 
Though thou wert firmlier fasten'd than a rock. 

Sams. I could be well content to try their art, 
Which to no few of them would prove pernicious. 
Yet knowing their advantages too many. 
Because they shall not trail me through their streets 
Like a wild beast, I am content to go, 
Masters' commands come with a power resistless 
To such as owe them absolute subjection ; 
And for a life Avho will not change his purpose ^ 
(So mutable are all the ways of men,) 
Yet this be sure, in nothing to comply 
Scandalous or forbidden in our law. 

Off. 1 praise thy resolution: doff these links 
By this compliance thou wilt win the lords 
To favour, and perhaps to set thee free.. 

Sams. Brethren, farewell ; your company along 
I will not wish, lest it perhaps offend them 
To see me girt with friends ; and how the sight 
Of me as of a common enemy, 
So dreaded once, may now exasperate them 
I know not : lords are lordliest in their wine ; 
And the wjjl-feasted priest then soonest fir'd 
With zeal, if aught religion seem concern'd ; 
No less the people on their holy-days 



SAMSON AGONISTES. 



135 



Impetuous, insolent, unquenchable : 
Happen what may, of me expect to hear 
Nothing dishonourable, impure, unworthy 
Our God, our law, my nation, or myself, 
The last of me or no I cannot warrant. 

Chor. Go, and the Holy One 
Of Israel be thy guide 
To what may serve his glory best, and spread hi 

name 
Great among the heathen round ; 
Send thee the angel of thy birth to stand 
Fast by thy side, who from thy father's field, 
Rode up in flames after this message told 
Of thy conception, and be now a shield 
Of fire \ that Spirit that first rushed on thee 
In the camp of Dan 
Be efficacious in thee now at need ; 
For never was from heaven imparted 
Measure of strength so great to mortal seed, 
As in thy wondrous actions hath been seen. 
But wherefore comes old Manoah in such haste 
With youthful steps ? much livelier than erewhile 
He seems ; supposing here to find his son. 
Or of him bringing to us some glad news ? 

Man. Peace with you, brethren; my induce- 
ment hither 
Was not at present here to find my son. 
By order of the lords new parted hence 
To come and play before them at their feast. 
I heard all as I came, the city rings. 
And numbers thither flock, I had no will, 
Lest I should see him forc'd to things unseemly. 
But that which mov'd my coming now, was chiefly 
To give ye part with me what hope I have 
With good success to work his liberty. 

Chor, That hope would much rejoice us to partake 
With thee ; say, reverend Sire, we thirst to hear. 

Man. I have attempted one by one the lords 
Either at home, ^i- through the high street passing, 



136 SAMSON AGONISTES. 

Witli supplication prone and father's tears, 
To accept of ransom for my son their pris'ner. 
Some much averse I found and wondrous harsh, 
Contemptuous proud, set on revenge and spite ; 
That part most reverenc'd Dagon and his priests : 
Others more moderate seeming, but their aim 
Private reward, for which both God and state 
They easily would set to sail ; a third 
More generous far and civil, who confess'd 
They had enough reveng'd, having reduc'd 
Their foe to misery beneath their fears, 
The rest was magnanimity to remit, 
If some convenient ransom were prepos'd. 
What noise or shout was that ? it tore the sky. 

Chor. Doubtless the people shouting to behold 
Their once great dread, captive, and blind before them, 
Or at some proof of strength before them shown, 

Man. His ransom, if my whole inheritance 
May compass it, shall willingly be paid 
And number'd down : much rather I shall choose 
To live the poorest in my tribe, than richest, 
And he in that calamitous prison left. 
No, I am fix'd not to part hence without him. 
For his redemption all my patrimony 
If need be, I am ready to forego 
And quit : not wanting him, I shall want nothing. 

Chor. Fathers are v/ont to lay up for their sons. 
Thou for thy son art bent to lay out all ; 
Sons wont to nurse their parents in old age, 
Thou in old age car'st how to nurse thy son 
Made older than thy age through eye-sight lost. 

Man. It shall be my delight to tend his eyes, 
And view him sitting in the house, ennobled 
With all those high exploits by him achiev'd, 
And on his shoulders waving down those locks. 
That of a nation arm'd the strength contain'd : 
And I persuade me God had not permitted 
His strength again to grow up with his hair 
Garrison 'd round about him like a camp 



SAMSON AGONISTES. 137 

Of faithfbl soldiery were not his purpose 

To use him further yet in some great service, 

Not to sit idle with so great a gift 

Useless, and thence ridiculous about him. 

And since his strength with eye-sight was not lost. 

God will restore his eye-sight to his strength. 

Chor. Thy hopes are not ill-founded, nor seem vain 
Of his delivery, and thy joy thereon 
Conceiv'd agreeable to a father's love, 
In both, which we, as next, participate. 

Man. I know your friendly minds and — -O what 
noise ? 
Mercy of heaven, what hideous noise was that ? 
Horribly loud, unlike the former shout. 

Chor. Noise call you it or universal groan, 
As if the whole inhabitation perish'd ! 
Blood, death, and deathful deeds are in that noise, 
Ruin, destruction at the utmost point. 

Man. Of ruin indeed, methought I heatd the noise 
Oh it continues, they have slain my son. 

Chor. Thy son is rather slaying them, that outcry 
From slaughter of one foe could not ascend. 

Man. Some dismal accident it needs must be ; 
What shall we do, stay here or run and see ? 

Chor. Best keep together here, lest running thither 
We unawares run into danger's mouth. 
This evil on the Philistines is fallen ; 
From whom could else a general cry be heard ? 
The sufferers then will scarce molest us here, 
From other hands we need not much to fear. 
What if his eye-sight (for to Israel's God 
Nothing is hard) by miracle reslor'd, 
He now be dealing dole among his foes, 
And over heaps of slaughter'd walk his way ? 

Man. That were a joy presumptions to be thought. 

Chor. Yet God hath wrought things as incredible 
For his people of old; what hinders now ? 

Man. He can I know, but doubt to think he will • 



1 



138 SAMSON AGONISTES. 

Yet hope would fain subscribe, and tempts belief. 
A little stay will bring some notice hither. 

Chor. Of good or bad so great, of bad the sooner 
For evil news rides post, while good news baits. 
And to our wish I see one hither speeding, 
An Hebrew, as I guess, and of our tribe. 

Mess. O whither shall I run, or which way tiy 
The sight of this so horrid spectacle, 
Which erst my eyes beheld and yet behold ? 
For dire imagination still pursues me. 
But providence or instinct of nature seems, 
Or reason though disturb'd, and scarce consulted. 
To have guided me aright, I know not how, 
To thee first reverend Manoah, and to these 
My countrymen, whom here I knew remaining, 
As at some distance from the place of horror. 
So in the sad event too much concern'd. 

Man. The accident was loud, and here before thee 
With rueful cry, yet what it was we hear not : 
No preface needs, thou seest we long to know. 

Mess. It would burst forth, but I recover breath 
And sense distract, to know well what I utter. 

Man. Tell us the sum, the circumstance defer. 

Mess. Gaza yet stands, but all her sons are fallen, 
All in a moment overwhelm'd and fallen. 

Man. Sad, but thou know'st to Israelites not 
saddest 
The desolation of a hostile city. 

Mess. Feed on that first, there may in grief bo 
surfeit. 

Man. Relate by whom. 

Mess. By Samson. 

Man. That still lessens 
The sorrow, and converts it nigh to joy. 

Mess. Ah Monoah, I refrain too suddenly 
To utter what will come at last too soon ; 
Lest evil tidings with too rude irruption 
Hitting thy aged ear should pierce too deep. 

Ma7i. Sus;iense in news is torture, speak them out. 



ftlSDN AGONISTES. 



139 



Mess, Take then the worst in brief, Samson is 
dead. 

Man, The worst indeed, O all my hope's defeated 
To free him hence ! but death who sets all free 
Hath paid his ransom now and full discharge. 
What windy joy this day had I conceiv'd 
Hopeful of his delivery, which now proves 
Abortive as the first-born bloom of spring 
NippM with the lagging rear of winter's frost ! 
Vet €re I give the reins to grief, say first, 
How died he ; death to life is crown or shame. 
All by him fell thou say'st, by whom fell he, 
What glorious hand gave Samson his death wound ? 

Mess. Unwounded of his enemies he fell. 

Man, Wearied with slaughter then or how ? ex- 
plain. 

Mess. By his own hands. 

Man, Self-violence ! what cause 
Brought him so soon at variance with himself 
Among his foes ? 

Mess. Inevitable cause 
At once both to destroy and be destroy 'd ; 
The edifice, where all were met to see him, 
Upon their heads and on his own he pull'd. 

Ma7u O lastly over-strong against thyself I 
A dreadul way thou took'st to thy revenge. 
More than enough we know ; but while things yet 
Are in confusion, give us if thou canst. 
Eye-witness of what first or last was done, 
Relation more particular and distinct. 

Mess. Occsaions drew me early to this city, 
And as the gates I enter'd with sun-rise, 
The morning trumpets' festival proclaim'd 
Through each high street : little I had despatch'd, 
When all abroad was rumour'd that this day 
Samson should be brought forth, to show the peopi< 
Proof of his mighty strength in feats and games ; 
I sorrow'd at his captive state, but minded 
Not to be absent at that spectacle. 



140 SAMSON AGONISTES. 

The building was a spacious theatre 

Half-round on two main pillars vaulted high, 

With seats where all the lords and each degree 

Of sort, might sit in order to behold ; 

The other side was open, where the throng 

On banks and scaffolds under sky might stand ; 

1 among these aloof obscurely stood. 

The feast and noon grew high, and sacrifice 

Had fill'd their hearts with mirth, high cheer, 

wine, 
When to their ispdrts they turn'd. Immediately 
Was Samson as a public servant brought, 
In their state livery clad ; before him pipes 
And timbrels, on each side went armed guards, 
Both horse and foot, before him and behind 
Archers, and slingers, cataphracts and spears. 
At sight of him the people with a shout 
Rifted the air, clamouring their god with praise, 
Who had made their dreadful enemy their thrah 
He patient but undaunted where they led him, 
Came to the place, and what was set before him 
Which witliout help of eye might be assay'd 
To heave, pull, draw, or break, he still perform'd 
All with incredible, stupendous force : 
None daring to appear antagonist. 
At length for intermission sake they led him 
Between the pillars ; he his guide repuested 
(For so from such as nearer stood we heard) 
As over-tir'd to let him lean a while 
With both his arms on those two massy pillars, 
That to the arched roof gave main support. 
He unsuspicious led him ; which when Samson 
Felt in his arms, with head a while inclin'd, 
And eyes fast fix'd he st':^od, as one who pray'd, 
Or some great matter in his mind revolv'd : 
At last with head erect thus cried aloud. 
Hitherto, lords, what your commands impos'd 
I have perform'd, as reason was, obeying, 
Not without wonder or delisfht beheld : 



SAMSON A60NISTES. 141 

Now of my own accord such other trial 

I mean to show you of my strength, yet greater ; 

As with amaze shall strike all who behold. 

This utter 'd, straining all his nerves he bow'd, 

As with the force of winds and waters pent, 

When mountains tremble, those two massy pillars 

With horrible convulsion to and fro, 

He tugg'd, he shook, till down they came and drew 

The whole roof after them, with burst of thunder 

Upon the heads of all who sat beneath, 

Lords, ladies, captains, counsellors, or priests, 

Their choice nobility and flower, not only 

Of this but each Philistian city round, 

Met from all parts to solemnize this feast. 

Samson with these inmix'd, inevitably 

Puird down th« same destruction on himself; 

The vulgar only scap'd who stood without. 

Chor. O dearly-bought revenge, yet glorious ! 
Living or dying thou hast fulfiU'd 
The work for which thou wast foretold 
To Israel, and now liest victorious 
Among thy slain self-kill 'd, 
Not willingly, but tangled in the fold 
Of dire necessity, whose law in death conjoined 
Thee with thy slaughter'd foes in number more 
Than all thy life had slain before. 

Semichor. While their hearts were jocund and 
sublime, 
Drunk with idolatry, drunk with wine, 
A.nd fat regorg'd of bulls and goats, 
Chaunting their idol, and preferring 
Before our living Dread who dwelk 
n Silo his bright sanctuary : 
Among them He a spirit of phrensy sent 
Who hurt their minds 
And urg'd them on with mad desire 
To call in heiste for their destroyer ; 
They only set on sport and play 
Dnweetingly importun'd 



142 SAMSON AGONISTES. 

Their own destruction to come speedy upon them. 

So fond are mortal men 

Fallen into wrath divine 

As their o\Aai ruin on themselves to invite, 

insensate left, or to senso reprobate, 

A.nd with blindness internal struck. 

Semichor. But he though blind of siglit, 
Despis'd and thought extinguish'd quite, 
With inward eyes illuminated, 
His fiery virtue rous'd 
From under ashes into sudden flame^ 
And as an evening dragon came 
Assailant on the perched roosts, 
And nests in order rang'd 
Of tame villatic fowl ; but as an eagle 
His cloudless thunder bolted on their heads. 
So virtue given for lost, 
Depress'd, and overthrown, as seem'd, 
Like that self-begotten bird 
In the Arabian woods imboss'd. 
That no second knows nor third, 
And lay erewhile a holocaust, 
From out her ashy womb now teemed, 
Revives, reflourishes, tiitn vigorous most 
When most unactive deem'd. 
And though her body die, her fame survives 
A secular bird ages of lives. 

Man. Come, come, no tim^e for lamentation now. 
Nor much more cause ; Samson hath quit himself 
Like Samson, and heroicly hath finish'd 
4 life heroic, on his enemies 
foully reveng'd, hath left them years of mourning, 
4nd lamentations to the sons of Caphtor 
Through all Philistian bounds ; to Israel 
Honour hath left, and freedom, let but them 
Find courage to lay hold on this occasion; 
To himself and father's house eternal fame ; 
And which is best and happiest yet, all this 
With God not parted from him, as was fear'd> 



SAMSl AGOKtSTES. 143 

Kut favouring and assisting to the end. 
Nothing is here for tears, nothing to wail 
Or knock the breast, no weakness, no contempt, 
Dispraise or blame, nothing but well and fair, 
And what may quiet us in a death so noble. 
Let us go find the body where it lies 
Soak'd in his enemies' blood, and from the stream 
With lavers pure and cleansing herbs wash off 
The clotted gore. I with what speed the while 
(Gaza is not in plight to say us nay) 
Will send for all my kindred, all my friends, 
To fetch him hence, and solemnly attend 
With silent obseo^uy and funeral train 
Home to his father's house : there will I build him 
A monument, and plant it round with shade 
Of laurel ever green, and branching palm, 
With all his trophies hung, and acts enroll'd 
In copious legend, or sweet lyric song. 
Thither shall all the valiant youth resort, 
And from his memory inflame their breasts 
To matchless valour, and adventures high : 
The virgins also shall on feastful days 
Visit his tomb with fi owners, only bewailing 
His lot unfortunate in nuptial choice, 
From whence captivity and loss of eyes, 
Chor. All is best, though we oft doubt 
What th' unsearchable dispose 
Of highest wisdom brings about, 
And ever best found in the close. 
Oft he seems to hide his face, 
But unexpectedly returns, 
And to his faithful champion hath in place 
Bore witness gloriously; whence Gaza mourns 
\nd all that band them to resist 
His uncontrolable intent ; 
His servants he with new acquist 
Of true experience from this great event 
With peace and consolation hath dismissed, 
And calm of mind all passion spent. 

END or SAMSON AGONISTES. 



POEMS 

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. 

L' ALLEGRO.* 

Hence, loathed Melancholy, 

Of Cerberus and blackest Midnight born, 

In Stygian cave forlorn, 
'Mongst horrid shapes, and shrieks, and sights un- 
holy ' 

Find out some uncouth cell, 
Where brooding Darkness spreads his jealous wings, 
And the night-raven sings ; 
There under ebon shades, and low brow'd rocks, 
As ragged as thy locks, 

In dark Cimmerian desert ever dwell. 
But come, thou goddess fair and free 
In heaven yclep'd Euphrosyne, 
And by men, heart-easing Mirth, 
Whom lovely Venus at a birth. 
With two sister Graces more 
To ivy-crown'd Bacchus bore ; 
The frolic wind that breathes the spring, 
Or whether (as some sages sing) 
Zephyr, with Aurora playing, 
As he met her once a-Maying ; 
There on beds of violets blue, 
And fresh-blown roses wash'd in dew, 
Fill'd her with thee, a daughter fair, 
So buxom, blithe, and debonaire, 

* V AUegro is the cheerful, merry man; and in this poem ho 
dftscribes the course of mirth in the country and in the city from 
morning to noon, and from noon to night. 



146 POEMS. 

Haste thee, nymph, and bring with thee 
Jest and youthful Jollity, 
Quips and cranks, and wanton wiles, 
Nods and becks, and wreathed smiles, 
Such as hang on Hebe's cheek, 
And love to live in dimple sleek ; 
Sport that wrinkled Care derides, 
And Laughter, holding both his sides. 
Come, and trip it as you go^ 
On the light fantastic toe ; 
And in thy right hand lead with thee, 
The mountain nymph, sweet Liberty. 
And if I give thee honour due, 
Mirth, admit me of thy crew, 
"To live with her, and live with thee, 
In unreproved pleasure free ; 
To hear the lark begin his flight. 
And singing startle the dull Night, 
From his watch-tower in the skies, 
Till the dappled dawn doth rise ; 
Then to come in spite of Sorrow, 
And at my window bid good-morrow, 
Through the sweet briar, or the vine, 
Or the twisted eglantine : 
While the cock with lively din 
Scatters the rear of darkness thin, 
And to the stack, or the barn door, 
Stoutly struts his dames before : 
Oft list'ning how the hounds and horn 
Cheerly rouse the slumb'ring Morn, 
From the side of some hoar hill 
Through the high wood echoing shrill . 

ometime walking not unseen, 
By hedge-row elms, on hillocks green. 
Right against the eastern gate. 
Where the great sun begins his slate, 
Rob'd in flames, and amber light, 
The clouds in thousand liveries dight. 
While the ploughman near at hand 



POEMS, 147 

Whistles o'er the furrow'd land, 

And the milk-maid singeth blithe, 

And the mower whets his scythe, 

And every shepherd tells his tale 

Under the hawthorn in the dale. 

Straight mine eye hath caught new pleas-ures, 

While the landscape round it measures, 

Russet la "^'n?, and fallows gray, 

Where t\ie nibbling flocks do stray, 

Mountains on whose barren breast 

The lab 'ring clouds do often rest ; 

Meadows trim with daises pied, 

Shallow brooks and rivers wide : 

Towers and battlements it sers 

Bosom'd high in tufted trees. 

Where perhaps some beauty lies, 

The Cynosure of neighb'ring eyes. 

Hard by, a cottage chimney smokes, 

From betwixt two aged oaks, 

Where Corydon and Thyrsis, met, 

Are at their savoury dinner set 

Of herbs, and other country messes. 

Which the meat-handed Phyllis dresses , 

And then in haste her bower she leaves ; 

With Thestylis to bind the sheaves ; 

Or, if the earlier season lead, 

To the tann'd haycock in the mead. 

Sometimes with secure delight 
The upland hamlets will invite. 
When the merry bells ring round, 
A.nd the jocund rebecs sound 
To many a youth, and many a maid, 
Dancing in the chequer'd shade ; 
And young and old come forth to play 
On a sun-shine holiday, 
Till the live-long day-light fail ; 
Then to the spicy nut-brown ale, 
With stories told of many a feat, 
How fairy Mab the junkets eat, 



148 PoEMfil. 

She was pincli'd, and puU'd, she said, 
And he, by friar's lantern led, 
Tells how the drudging goblin sweat, 
To earn his cream-bowl duly set, 
When in one night, ere glimpse of morn, 
His shadowy flail hath threbh'd the corn, 
That ten day-lab'rors could not end ; 
Then lies him down the lubbar-fiend, 
And stretch'd out all the chimney's length, 
Basks at the fire his hairy strength. 
And crop-full out of doors he flings. 
Ere the first cock his matin rings. 

Thus done the tales, to bed they creep, 
By whisp'ring winds soon lull'd asleep. 
Tower'd cities please us then ; 
And the busy hum of men, 
Where throngs of knights and barons bold 
In weeds of peace high triumphs hold, 
With store of ladies, whose bright eyes 
JRain influence, and judge the prize 
Of wit, or arms, while both contend 
To win her grace, whom all commend. 
There let Hymen oft appear 
In saflron robe, with taper clear, 
And pomp, and feast, and revelry. 
With mask and antique pageantry, 
Such sights as youthful poets dream 
On summer eves by haunted stream. 
Then to the well trod stage anon, 
If Johnson's learned sock be on, 
Or sweetest Shakepseare, Fancy's child, 
Warble his native wood-notes wild. 

And ever, against eating cares, 
Lap me in soft Lydian airs, 
Married to immortal verse. 
Such as the meeting soul may pierce, 
In notes, with many a winding bout 
Of linked sweetness lon^ drawn out 
With wanton heed, and giddy cunning, 



POEMS. 



149 



The melting voice through mazes running, 

Untwisting all the chains that tie 

The hidden soul of harmony ; 

That Orpheus' self may heave his head 

From golden slumber on a bed 

Of heap'd Elysian flowers, and hear 

Such strains as would have won the ear 

Of Pluto, to have quite set free 

His half-regain'd Eurydice. 

These delights, if thou canst give, 
Mirth, with thee I mean to live. 



IL PENSEROSO* 



Hence, vain deluding joys, 

The brood of Folly without father bred ! 

How little you bested. 

Or fill the fixed mind with all your toys . 

Dwell in some idol brain, 

And fancies fond with gaudy shapes possess 

As thick and numberless 

As the gay motes that people the sunbeams, 

Or likest hovering dreams, 

The fickle pensioners of Morpheus' train. 
But hail, thou goddess, sage and holy, 
Hail, divinest melancholy ! 
Whose saintly visage is too bright 
To hit the sense of human sight. 
And, therefore, to our weaker view 
O'erlaid with black, staid Wisdom's hue j 

♦iZ Petiseroso is the thoughtful, melancholy man; and this 
poem, both in its model and principal circumstances, is taken froiu 
a song in praise of melancholy in Beaumont, and Fletcher's com^ 
dy, called The Nice VaUmr^ or PaasiontUe Madman, 
N* 



150 POEMS. 

Black, but such as in esteem, 

Prince Memmon's sister might beseem, 

Or that Starr 'd Ethiop queen that strove 

To set her beauties praise above 

The Sea-nymphs, and their powers offended, 

Yet thou art higher far descended, 

Thee bright-hair'd Vesta long of yore 

To solitary Saturn bore ; 

His daughter she, (in Saturn's reign, 

Such mixture was not held a stain,) 

Oft in glimmering bowers and glades 

He met her, and in secret shades 

Of woody Ida's inmost grove, 

While yet there was no fear of Jove. 

Come, pensive Nun, devout and pure, 
Sober, steadfast, and demure, 
All in a robe of darkest grain, 
Flowing with majestic train, 
And sable stole of Cyprus lawn. 
Over thy decent shoulders drawn. 
Come, but keep thy wonted state, 
With even step, and musing gait. 
And looks com.mercing with the skieSf 
Thy rapt soul sitting in thine eyes : 
There held in holy passion still, 
f'orget thyself to marble, till 
With a sad leaden downward cast. 
Thou fix them on the earth as fast : 
And join with thee calm Peace, and Quiet, 
Spare Fast, that oft with gods doth diet, 
And hears the Muses in a ring 
Aye round about Jove's altar sing. 
And add to these retired Leisure, 
That in trim gardens takes his pleasure : 
But first and chiefest, with thee bring, 
Him that yon soars on golden, wing, 
Guiding the fiery-wheeled thron©, 
The cherub Contemplation ; 
And the mut© Silence hist along.. 



POEMS' 151 

Less Philomel will deign a song, 
In her sweetest, saddest plight, 
Smoothing the rugged brow of Night, 
While Cynthia checks her dragon yoke, 
Gently o'er th'accustom'd oak ; 
Sweet bird, that shunn'st the noise of folly, 
Most musical, most melancholy ! 
Thee, chantress, oft, the woods among, 
I woo, to hear thy evening-song ; 
And missing thee, I walk unseen 
On the dry smooth-shaven green, 
To behold the wand'ring moon. 
Riding near her highest noon. 
Like one that had been led astray 
Through the heaven's wide pathless way, 
And oft, as if her head she bow'd, 
Stooping through a fleecy cloud. 
Oft on a plat of rising ground, 
I hear the far-off curfew sound. 
Over some wide-water'd shore, 
Swinging slow with sullen roar ; 
Or if the air will not permit, 
Some still removed place will fit. 
Where glowing embers through the room 
Teach light to counterfeit a gloom, 
Far from all resort of mirth. 
Save the cricket on the hearth. 
Or the belman's drowsy charm, 
To bless the doors from nightly harm : 
Or let my lamp at midnight hour 
Be seen in some high lonely tower, 
Where I may oft outwatch the Bear, 
With thrice-great Hermes, or unsphere 
The spirit of Plato to unfold 
What worlds, or what vast regions hold 
Th' immortal mind that hath forsook 
Her mansion in this fleshly nook : 
And of those Demons that are found 
In fire, air, flood, or under ground, 



152 POEKS. 

Whose power hath a true consent 
With planet, or with element. 
Sometime let gorgeous Tragedy 
In scepter'd pall come sweeping by, 
Presenting Thebes' or Pelops' line, 
Or the tale of Troy divine, 
Or what (though rare) of later age 
Ennobled hath thy buskin'd stage. 

But, O sad Virgin, that thy power 
Might raise Musaeus from his bower 
Or bid the soul of Orpheus sing 
Such notes, as warbled to the string. 
Drew iron tears down Pluto's cheek. 
And made hell grant what love did seek. 
Or call up him that left half told 
The story of Cambuscan bold, 
Of Camball, and of Algarsife, 
And who had Canace to wife. 
That own'd the virtuous ring and glass, 
And of the wond'rous horse of brass, 
On which the Tartar king did ride ; 
And if aught else great bards beside 
In sage and solemn tunes have sung, 
Of tourneys and of trophies hung. 
Of forests, and enchantments drear, 
Where more is meant than meets the ear. 

Thus, Night, oft see me in thy pale career 
Till civil-suited Morn appear, 
Not trick'd and frounc'd as she was wont 
With the Attic boy to hunt. 
But kerchieft in a comely cloud. 
While rocking winds are piping loud, 
Or usher'd with a shower still 
When the gust hath blown his fill, 
Ending on the rustling leaves. 
With minute drops from off the eaves. 
And when the sun begins to fling 
His flaring beams, me, goddess, bring 
To arched walks of twilight groves, 



POEMS. 163 



And shadows brown, that Sylvan loves. 

Of pine, or monumental oak. 

Where the rude axe with heaved stroke 

Was never heard the Nymphs to daunt, 

Or fright them from their hallow'd haunt. 

There in close covert by some brook, 

Where no profaner eye may look, 

Hide me from day's garish eye, 

While the bee with honied thigh. 

That at her flowery work doth sing, 

And the waters murmuring. 

With such concert as they keep. 

Entice the dewy-feather'd Sleep ; 

And let some strange mysterious dream 

Wave at his wings in airy stream 

Of lively portraiture display'd, 

Softly on my eyelids laid. 

And as I wake, sweet music breathe 

Above, about, or underneath. 

Sent by some spirit to mortals good, 

Or th' unseen genius of the wood. 

But let my due feet never fail 
To walk the studious cloisters pale, 
And love the high embowed roof, 
With antique pillars massy proof, 
And storied windows richly dight. 
Casting a dim religious light. 
There let the pealing organ blow, 
To the fuU-voic'd choir below. 
In service high and anthems clear, 
A.S may with sweetness through mine ear, 
Dissolve me into ecstacies, 
^nd bring all heaven before mine eyes ! 

And may at last my weary age 
Find out the peaceful hermitage. 
The hairy gown and mossy coif. 
Where I may sit and rightly sperl 
Of every star that Heaven doth show, 
And every herb that sips the dew j 



154 POEMS. 

Till old experience do attain 

To something like prophetic strain. 

These pleasures, Melancholy, give, 
And 1 with thee will choose to live. 



ON THE DEATH OF A FAIR INFANT, 
DYING OF A COUGH.^ 

I. 

O Fairest flower no sooner blown but blasted, 
Soft silken primrose fading timelessly, 
Summer's chief honour, if thou hadst out-lasted 
Bleak Winter's force that made thy blossom dry: 
For he being amorous on that lovely dye 

That did thy cheek envermeil, thought to kiss, 
But kiU'd, alas, and then bewail'd his fatal bliss. 

II. 

For since grim Aquilo his charioteer 
By boist'rous rape th' Athenian damsel got. 
He thought it touch'd his deity full near, 
If likewise he some fair one wedded not, 
Thereby to wipe away th' infamous blot 

Of long-uncoupled bed, and childless eld, 
Which 'mongst the wanton gods a foul reproach 
was held. 

III. 

So, mounting up in icy-pearled car, 
Through middle empire of the freezing air, 
He wander'd long, till thee he spied from far ; 
There ended was his quest, there ceas'd his care : 
Down he descended from his snow-soft chair, 

* Composed in 1625, the 17th year of Milton's age. This in- 
fant was the author's neice, a davighter of his sister PhiUps, and 

probably her first child. 



roEMS. 155 

But all unwares with his cold-kind embrace 
Unhous'd thy virgin soul from her fair biding place 

IV 

Yet art thou not inglorious in thy fate ; 
For so Apollo, with unweeting hand, 
Whilome did slay his dearly loved mate, 
Young Hyacinth born on Eurotas' strand, 
Young Hyacinth the pride of Spartan land ; 

But then transform'd him to a purple flower : 
Alack that so to change thee Winter had no power. 

V. 

Yet can I not persuade me thou art dead. 
Or that thy corse corrupts in earth's dark womb, 
Or that thy beauties lie in wormy bed. 
Hid from the world in a low delved tomb ; 
Could Heaven for pity thee so strictly doom ? 
Oh no ! for something in thy face did shine 
Above mortality, that show'd thou wast divine. 

VI. 

Resolve me then, oh Soul most surely bless'd, 
(If so it be that thou these plaints dost hear,) 
Tell me, bright Spirit, where'er thou hoverest. 
Whether above that high first-moving sphere^ 
Or in th' Elysian fields, (if such they were,) 
O say me true, if thou wert mortal wight, 
And why from us so quickly thou didst take thy 
flight ? 

VII. 

Wert thou some star which from the ruin'd roof 
Of shak'd Olympus by mischance didst fall ; 
Which careful Jove in nature's true behoof 
Took up, and in fit place did reinstall ? 
Or did of late earth's sons besiege the wall 



156 POEMS. 

Of sheeny Heaven, and thou, some goddess fled, 
Amongst us here below to hide thy nectar'd head ? 

VIII. 

Or wert thou that just maid who once before 

Forsook the hated earth, O tell me sooth, 

And cam'st again to visit us once more ? 

Or wert thou, [Mercy,] that sweet smiling Youth ? 

Or that cro^vn'd matron sage white-robed Truth ? 

Or any other of that heavenly brood 
Let down in cloudy throne to do the world some 
good? 

IX. 

Or wert thou of the golden-winged host, 

Who having clad thyself in human weed. 

To earth from thy prefixed seat didst post, 

And after short abode fly back with speed. 

As if to show what creatures Heaven doth breed ; 

Thereby to set the hearts of men on fire 
To scorn the sordid world, and unto Heaven aspire ? 

X. 

But oh ! why didst thou not stay here below 
To bless us with thy heaven-lov'd innocence, 
To slake his wrath whom sin hath made our foe. 
To turn swift-rushing black perdition hence, 
Or drive away the slaughtering pestilence. 

To stand 'twixt us and our deserved smart ? 
But thou canst best perform that ofiice where thou 
art. 

XL 

Then thou < the mother of so sweet a child, 
Her false imagin'd loss cease to lament, 
And wisely learn to curb thy sorrows wild ; 
Think what a present thou to God hast sent, 
And render him with patience what he lent ; 



POEMS. 157 

This if thou do, he will an offering give 
That till the world's last end shall make thy name to 
live. 



Anno ^tatis 19. (1627.) At a Vacation Exercise in 
the College^ part Latin^ part English. The Latin 
Speeches ended^ the English thus began: 

Hail, native language, that by sinews weak 
Didst move my first endeavouring tongue to speak, 
And mad'st imperfect words with childish trips, 
Half unpronounc'd, slide through my infant lips 
Driving dumb Silence from the portal door. 
Where he had mutely sat two years before ; 
Here I salute thee, and thy pardon ask, 
That now I use thee in my latter task : 
Small loss it is that thence can come unto thee, 
I know my tongue but little grace can do thee : 
Thou need'st not be ambitious to be first. 
Believe me I have thither pack'd the worst : 
And, if it happen as I did forecast, 
The daintiest dishes shall be serv'd up last. 
I pray thee then deny me not thy aid 
For this same small neglect that I have made : 
But haste thee straight to do me once a pleasure, 
And from thy wardrobe bring thy chiefest treasure 
Not those new fangled toys, and trimming slight 
\Vliich takes our late fantastics with delight, 
But cull those richest robes, and gay'st attire 
Which deepest spirits, and choicest wits desire : 
I have some naked thoughts that rove about, 
And loudly knock to have their passage out ; 
And weary of their place do only stay 
Till thou hast deck'd them in thy best array ; 
That so they may without suspect or fears 
Fly swiftly to this fair assembly's ears. 
Yet I had rather, if I were to chose, 
Q 



158 POEMS. 

Thy service in some graver subject use, 

Such as may make thee search thy coffers round, 

Before thou clothe my fancy in fit sound : 

Such where the deep transported mind may soar 

Above the wheeling poles, and at Heaven's door 

Look in, and see each bliseful Deity 

How he before the thunderous throne doth lie, 

List'ning to what unshorn Apollo sings 

To th' touch of golden wires, while Hebe brings 

Immortal nectar to her kingly sire ; 

Then passing through the spheres of watchful fire, 

And misty regions of wide air next under, 

And hills of snow, and lofts of piled thunder, 

May tell at length how green-ey'd Neptune raves, 

In Heaven's defiance mustering all his waves ; 

Then sing of secret things that came to pass 

When beldam Nature in her cradle was ; 

And last of kings and queens and heroes old, 

Such as the wise Demodocus once told 

In solemn songs at king Alcinous' feast 

"While sad Ulysses' soul and all the rest 

Are held with his melodious harmony 

In willing chains and sweet captivity; 

But fie, my wand'ring Muse, how thou dost stray ! 

Expectance calls thee now another way ; 

Thou know'st it must be now thy only bent 

To keep in compass of thy predicament : 

Then quick about thy purpos'd business come, 

That to the next I may resign my room. 

Then Ens is represented as Father of the Predicaments 
his ten Sons^ whereof the eldest stood for Substance 
with his CanonSj which thus speaking- explains : 

Good luck befriend thee, Son ; for at thy birth 
The fairy ladies danc'd upon the hearth ; 
Thy drowsy nurse hath sworn she did them spy 
Come tripping to the room where thou didst lie. 
And, sweetly singing round about thy bed, 



POEMS. 



159 



Strow all their blessings on thy sleeping head. 

She heard them give thee this, that thou shouldst still 

From eyes of mortals walk invisible ; 

Yet there is something that doth force my fear, 

For once it was my dismal hap to hear 

A Sibyl old, bow-bent with crooked age. 

That far events full wisely could presage, 

And in time's long and dark prospective glass 

Foresaw what future ^'ays should bring to pass : 

Your son, said she, (nor can you it prevent,) 

Shall subject be to many an accident. 

O'er all his brethren he shall reign as king, 

Yet every one shall make him underling. 

And those that cannot live from himassunder 

Ungratefully shall strive to keep him under, 

In worth and excellence he shall out-go them, 

Yet being above them, he shall be below them ; 

From others he shall stand in need of nothing, 

Yet on his brothers shall depend for clothing ; 

To fmd a foe it shall not be his hap, 

And Peace shall lull him in her flowery lap ; 

Yet shall he live in strife, and at his door 

Devouring War shall never cease to roar; 

Yea it shall be his natural property 

To harbour those that are at enmity. 

What power, what force, what mighty spell, if not 

Your learned hands, can loose this Gordian knot ? 

*rhe next Quantity and Quality spake in Prose; then 
Relation was called by his Name. 

Rivers, arise ; whether thou be the son 
Of utmost Tweed, or Cose, or gulfy Don, ■ 

Or Trent, who like some earth-born giant spreads ' 
His thirty arms along th' indented meads ; 
Or sullen Mole, that runneth underneath 
Or Severn swift, guilty of maidens' death ; 
Or rocky Avon, or of sedgy Lee, 
Or coaly Tine, or ancient hallow'd Dee ; 



160 POEMS. 

Or Humber loud, that keeps the Scythian's name , 
Or Meday smooth, or royal tower'd Thame, 
[ The rest was prose^ 



ON THE MORNING OF CHRIST'S 
NATIVITY. 

Composed in 1629. 
I. 

This is the month, and this the happy morn, 
Wherein the Son of Heaven's eternal King, 
Of wedded Maid, and Virgin-Mother born, 
Our great redemption from above did bring ; 
For so the holy sages once did sing. 

That he our deadly forfeit should release. 
And with his Father work us a perpetual peace. 

IL 

That glorious form, that light unsufferable, 
And that far-beaming blaze of majesty, 
Wherewith he wont at Heaven's high council-table 
To sit the midst of Trinal-Unity, 
He laid aside ; and, here with us to be, 
Forsook the courts of everlasting day. 
And chose with us a darksome house of mortal clay. 

III. 

Say, heavenly Muse, shall not thy sacred vein 

Afford a present to the Infant God ? 

Hast thou no verse, no hymn, or solemn strain, 

To welcome him to this his new abode. 

Now while the Heaven by the sun's team untrod, 

Hath took no print of the approaching light. 
And all the spangled host keep watch in squadrons 
bright ? 



POEMS. 161 

IV. 

See how from far upon the eastern road 

The star-led wizards haste with odours sweet ; 

O run, prevent them with thy humble ode, 

And lay it lowly at his blessed feet ; 

Have thou the honour first thy Lord to gi'eet, 

And join thy voice unto the Angel choir. 
From out his secret altar touch'd with hallow'd fire. 



THE HYMN. 

I. 

It was the winter wild, 
While the Heaven-born child 

All meanly wrapt in the rude manger lies , 
Nature in awe to him 
Had dofl^d her gaudy trim, 

With her great Master so to sympathize ; 
It was no season then for her 
To wanton with the sun, her lusty paramour. 

II. 

Only, with speeches fair, 
She woes the gentle air, 

To hide her guilty front with innocent snow ; 
And on her naked shame. 
Pollute with sinful blame, 

The saintly veil of maiden white to throw ; 
Confounded, that her Maker's eyes 
Should look so near upon her foul deformities. 

III. 

But he her fears to cease 

Sent down the meek-ey'd Peace ; 

She, crown'd with olive green, came softly-sliding^ 
O* 



162 POEMS. 

Down through the turning sphere 
His ready harbinger, 

With turtle wing the amorous clouds dividing, 
And waving wide her myrtle wand, 
She strikes an universal peace through sea and land. 

IV. 

No war, or battle's sound 
Was heard the world around, 

The idle spear and shield were high up hung ; 
The hooked chariot stood 
Unstain'd with hostile blood ; 

The trumpet spake not to the arm'd throng ; 
And kings sat still with awful eye, 
As if they surely knew their sov'reign Lord, was by. 

V. 

But peaceful was the night, 
Wherein the Prince of Light 

His reign of peace upon the earth began : 
The winds, with wonder whist, 
Smoothly the waters kiss'd, 

Whisp'ring new joys to the mild ocean ; 
Who now hath quite forgot to rave. 
While birds of calm sit brooding on the charmed waye# 

VI. 

The stars, with deep amaze, 
Stand fix'd in steadfast gaze, 

Bending one way their precious influence, 
And will not take their flight, 
For all the morning light. 

Or Lucifer that often warn'd them thence ; 
But in their glimering orbs did glow, 
Until their Lord himself bespake, and bid them go. 



POEMS. 163 

VII. 

And though the shady gloom 
Had given day her room, 

The sun himself withheld his wonted speed, 
And hide his head for shame, 
As his inferior flame 

The new enlighten'd world no more should need *, 
He saw a greater Sun appear 

Than his bright throne, or burning axletree, could 
bear. 

VIII. 

The shepherds on the lawn. 
Or ere the point of dawn, 

Sat simply chatting in a rustic row ; 
Full Uttle thought they then, 
Thafelthe mighty Pan 

Was kindly come to live with them below : 
Perhaps their loves, or else their sheep, 
Was all that did their silly thoughts so busy keep. 

IX. 

When such music sweet 
Their hearts and ears did greet, 

As never was by mortal finger strook ; 
Divinely-warbled voice 
Answering the stringed noise, 

As all their souls in blissful rapture took : 
The air, such pleasures loth to lose, 
With thousand echoes still prolongs each heavenly 
close. 

X. 

Nature that heard such sound, 
Beneath the hollow round 

Of Cynthia's seat, the airy region thxilling, 
Now was almost won 
To think her part was done, 



164 POEMS. 

And that her reign had here its last fulfilling ; 
She knew such harmony alone 
Could hold all Heaven and Earth in happier union. 

XL 

At last surrounds their sight 
•A globe of circular light, 

That with long beams the shame-fac'd night ar 
ray'd ; 
The helmed Cherubim, 
And sworded Seraphim, 

Are seen in glittering ranks with wings displayed, 
Harping in loud and solemn choir, 
With unexpressive notes, to Heaven's new-born 
Heir. 

XII. 

(Such music (as 'tis said) 
Before was never made, 

But when of old the sons of morning sung. 
While the Creator great 
His constellation set, 

And the well-balanc'd world on hinges hung^ 
And cast the dark foundations deep, 
And bid the welt'ring waves their oozy channel keep, 

XIII. 

Ring out, ye crystal Spheres, 
Once bless our human ears, 

(If ye have power to touch our senses so,) 
And let your silver chime 
.^ove in melodious time ; 

And let the base of Heaven's deep organ blow ; 
And with your ninefold harmony 
Make up full concert to th' angelic symphony. 

XIV. 

For if such holy song 
Inwrap our fancy long, 



POEMS. 165 

Time will run back, and fetch the age of gold ; 
And speckled Vanity- 
Will sicken soon and die, 

And leprous Sin will melt from earthly mould 
And Hell itself will pass away, 
And leave her dolorous mansions to the peering day 
XV. 

Yea Truth and Justice then, 
Will down return to men, 

Orb'd in a rainbow ; and, like glories wearing, 
Mercy will sit between, 
Thron'd in celestial sheen. 

With radiant feet the tissued clouds down steering* 
And Heaven, as at some festival, 
Will open wide the gates of her high palace halL 

XVL 

But wisest fate says no, 
This must not yet be so. 

The Babe lies yet in smiling infancy, 
That on the bitter cross 
Must redeem our loss ; 

So both himself and us to glorify : 
Yet first, to those ychain'd in sleep, 
The wakeful trump of doom must thunder through 
the deep, 

xvn. 

With such a horrid clang 
As on mount Sinai rang, 

While the red fire and smouldering clouds out brake 
The aged earth aghast, 
With terror of that blast. 

Shall from the surface to the centre shake ; 
When at the world's last session, 
The dreadful Judge in middle air shall spread his 
throne. 



166 POEMS. 

XVIII. 

And then at last our bliss 
Full and perfect is, 

But now begins ; for from this happy day 
rh' old Dragon under ground 
In straiter limits bound, 

Not half so far cast his usurped sway, 
And, wroth to see his kingdom fail, 
Swinges the scaly horror of his folded tail. 

XI. 

The oracles are dumb, 
No voice or hideous hum 

Runs through the arched roof in words deceiving. 
Apollo from his shrine 
Can no more divine. 

With hollow shriek the steep of Delphos leaving. 
No nightly trance, or breathed spell, 
Inspires the pale-ey'd priest from the prophetic cell. 

XX. 

The lonely mountains o'er 
And the resounding shore, 

A voice of weeping heard and loud lament ; 
From haunted spring and dale, 
Edg'd with poplar pale, 

The parting Genius is with sighing sent : 
With flower-inwoven tresses torn. 
The Nymphs, in twilight shade of tangled thickets, 

mourn. 
' XXI. 

Tn consecrated earth, " * 

And on the holy hearth. 

The Lares and Lemures moan with midnight plaint ; 
In urns and altars round, 
A drear and dying sound 

Affrights the Flamens at their service quaint; 



POEMS. 167 

And the chill marhle seems to sweat, 

While each peculiar Power foregoes his wonted seat 

XXII. 

Peor and Baalim 
Forsake their temples dim 

With that twice-batter'd god of Palestine ; 
And mooned Ashtaroth, 
Heaven's queen and mother both, 

Now sits not girt with tapers holy shine ; 
The Lybic Hammon shrinks his horn, 
In vain the Tyrian maids their wounded Thammuz 
mourn. 

XXIII. 

And sullen Moloch fled, 
Hath left in shadows dread 

His burning idol all of blackest hue ; 
In vain with cymbals ring. 
They call the grisly king, 

In dismal dance about the furnace blue : 
The brutish gods of Nile as fast, 
Isis and Orus, and the dog Anubis, haste. 

XXIV. 

Nor is Osiris seen 

In Memphian grove or green. 

Trampling the unshower'd grass with lowings loud : 
Nor can he be at rest 
Within his sacred chest, 

Naught but profoundest Hell can be his shroud ; 
In vain with timbrel'd anthems dark 
The sable-stoled sorcerers bear his worshipp'd ark. 

XXV. 

He feels from Judah's land 
The dreaded Infant's hand. 

The rays of Bethlehem blind his dusky eyne ; 



168 POEBtS. 

Nor all the gods besides, 
Longer dare abide, 

Not Typhon huge ending in snaky twine : 
Our Babe, to show his Godhead true, 
Can in his swaddling bands control the damned crew. 

XXVI. 

So when the sun in bed, 
Curtain'd with cloudy red, 

Pillows his chin upon an orient wave, 
The flocking shadows pale 
Troop to th' infernal jail, 

Each fetter 'd ghost slips to his several grave ; 
And the yellow-skirted fays 
Fly after the night steeds, leaving their moon-lov'd 



XXVII. 

But see, the Virgin-bless'd 
Hath laid her Babe to rest. 

Time is, our tedious song should here have ending : 
Heaven's youngest-teemed star 
Hath fix'd her polish'd car, 

Her sleeping Lord with handmaid lamp attending : 
And all about the courtly stable 
Bright-harness 'd angels sit in order serviceable. 



THE PASSION. =^ 

L 

Erewhile of music, and etherial mirth, 
Wherewith the stage of air and earth did ring, 
And joyous news of Heavenly Infant's birth, 

* This poem appears to have been composed soon after the Ode 
on the Nativity. 



POEMS. 169 

My Muse with Angels did divide to sing ; 
But headlong joy is ever on the wing, 

In wintry solstice like the shorten'd light 
Soon swallow'd up in dark, and long out-living night. 

II. 

For now to sorrow must I tune my song, 
And set my harp to notes of saddest wo, 
Which on our dearest Lord did seize ere long, 
Dangers, and snares, and wrongs, and worse than so, 
Which he for us did freely undergo : 

Most perfect Hero, tried in heaviest plight 
Of labours huge and hard, too hard for human weight ! 

III. 

He, sovereign Priest, stooping his regal head, 
That droop'd with odorous oil down his fair eyes, 
Poor fleshly tabernacle enter'd 
His starry front low-roof 'd beneath the skies ; 
O, what a mask was there, what a disguise I 

Yet more ; the stroke of death he must abide, 
Then lies him meekly down fast by his brethren's side 

IV. 

These latest scenes confine my roving verse ; 
To this horizon is my Phoebus bound : 
His godlike acts, and his temptations fierce, 
And former sufferings, other where are found ; 
Loud o'er the rest Cremonas' trump doth sound ; 

Me softer airs befit, and softer strings 
Df lute or viol still, more apt for mournful things, 

V. 

Befriend me, Night, best patroness of grief; 

Over the pole thy thickest mantle throw. 

And work my flatter'd fancy to belief, 

That Heaven and Earth are colour'd with my wo; 

My sorrows are too dark for day to know : 






170 POEMS 

The leaves should all be black whereon I write, 
And letters, where my tears have wash'd^ a wannish 
white. 

VI. 

See, see the chariot, and those rushing" wheels, 
That whirl 'd the Prophet up at Chebar flood ; 
My spirit some transporting Cherub feels, 
To bear me where the towers of Salem stood. 
Once glorious towers, now sunk in guiltless blood : 

There doth my soul in holy vision sit. 
In pensive trance, and anguish, and ecstatic fit» 

VII. 

Mine eye hath found that sad sepulchral rock 
That was the casket of Heaven's richest store ; 
And here though grief my feeble hands up lock, 
Yet on the soften'd quarry would I score 
My plaining verse as lively as before : 

For sure so well instructed are my tears, 
That they would fitly fall in order'd characters. 

VIII. 

Or should I thence hurried on viewless wing. 
Take up a weeping on the mountains wild. 
The gentle neighbourhood of grove and spring 
Would soon unbosom all their echoes mild, 
And I (for grief is easily beguil'd) 

Might think th' infection of my sorrows loud 
Had got a race of mourners on some pregnant cloud. 

This subject the Author finding to be above th 
years he had, when he wrote it, and nothing satisfied 
with what was begun, left it unfinished. 



POEMS. 171 



ON TIME,=^ 



Fly, envious Time, till thou run out thy race ; 
Call on the lazy, leaden-stepping hours, 
Whose speed is but the heavy plummet's pace ; 
And glut thyself with what thy womb devours, 
Which is no more than is false and vain, 
And merely mortal dross ; 
So little is our loss, 
So little is thy gain ! 

For when as each thing bad thou hast entomb'd, 
And last of all thy greedy self consum'd, 
Then long Eternity shall greet our bliss 
"With an individual kiss ; 
And Joy shall overtake us as a flood, 
When every thing that is sincerely good 
And perfectly divine. 

With Truth, and Peace, and Love, shall ever shine 
About the supreme throne 
Of Him, to whose happy-making sight alone 
When once our heavenly guided souls shall climb, 
Then, all this earthly grossness quit, 
Attir'd with stars, we shall for ever sit, 
Triumphing over Death, and Chance, and thee, O 
Time .' 



UPON THE CIRCUMCISION. 

Ye flaming Powers, and winged warriors bright. 
That erst with music, and triumphant song, 
First heard by happy watchful shepherds' ear, 
So sweetly sung your joy the clouds along 
Through the soft silence of the list'ning night ; 

♦ In these poems where no date is prefixed, and no ch'cumstances 
direct us to ascertain the time when they were composed, we follow 
the order of Milton's own editions. And before this copy of verses 
it appears, from the manuscript, that the poet had written, To be 
set on a clock-case. 



172 POEMS. 

Now mourn ; and, if sad share with us to bear 

Your fiery essence can distil no tear, 

Burn in your sighs, and borrow 

Seas wept from our deep sorrow. 

He, who with all Heaven's heraldry whilere 

Enter'd the world, now bleeds to give us ease ; 

Alas, how soon our sin 

Sore doth begin 

His infancy to seize ! 
O more exceeding love, or law more just ! 
Just law indeed, but more exceeding love ! 
For we, by rightful doom remediless, 
Were lost in death, till he, that dwelt above 
High thron'd in secret bliss, for us frail dust 
Emptied his glory, ev'n to nakedness ; 
And that great covenant which we still transgress 
Entirely satisfied ; 
And the full wrath beside 
Of vengeful justice bore for our excess ; 
And seals obedience first, with w^ounding smart, 
This day ; but O, ere long, 
Huge pangs and strong 

Will pierce more near his heart. 



AT A SOLEMN MUSIC. 

Bless'd pair of Syrens, pledges of Heaven's joy, 

Sphere-born, harmonious sisters, Voice and Verse, 

Wed your divine sounds, and mix'd power employ 

Dead things with inbreath'd sense able to pierce ; 

And to our high rais'd phantasy present 

That undisturbed song of pure content, 

Aye sung before the sapphire-colour'd throne, 

To him that sits thereon, 

With saintly shout, and solemn jubilee, 

Where the bright Seraphim, in burning row, 

Their loud, up-liften angel-trumpets blow, 

And the cherubic host, in thousand choir, 



POEMS. 173 

Touch. their immortal harps of gold<:a wires, 

"With those just Spirits that wear victorious palms, 

Hymns devout and holy psalms 

Singing everlastingly : 

That we on earth, with undiscording voice, 

May rightly answer that melodious noise : 

As once we did ; till disproportion'd sin 

Jarr'd against Nature's chime, and with harsh din 

Broke the fair music that all creatures made 

To their great Lord, whose love their motion sway'd 

In perfect diapason, whilst they stood 

In first obedience, and their state of good. 

O, may we soon again renew that song. 

And keep in tune with heaven, till God, ere long, 

To his celestial concert us unite. 

To live with him, and sing in endless morn of light ! 



AN EPITAPH ON THE MARCHIONESS OF 
WINCHESTER.^ 

This rich marble doth inter 

The honour'd wife of Winchester, 

A Viscount's daughter, an Earl's heir, 

Besides what her virtues fair 

Added to her noble birth, 

More than she could own from earth. 

Summers three times eight save one 

She had told ; alas ! too soon. 

After so short time of breath. 

To house with darkness, and with death. 

Yet had the number of her days 

* This Lady was Jane, daughter of Thomas Lord Vise. Savage 
of Rock-Savage, Cheshire, who by marriage became the heir of 
Lord Darcy, Earl of Rivers ; and v?as the wife of John Marquis 
of Winchester, and the mother of Charles first duke of Bolton. 
She died in childbed of a second son in the 23d year of her age ; 
and Milton made these verses at Cambridge, as appears by the 
sequel. p^ 



174 POEMS. 

Been as complete as was her praise, 
Nature and Fate had had no strife 
In giving limit to her life. 

Her high birth, and her graces sweet, 
Quickly found a lover meet ; 
The virgin choir for her request 
The God that sits at marriage feast ; 
He at their invoking came, 
But with a scarce well-lighted flame ; 
And in his garland, as he stood, 
Ye might discern a cypress bud. 
Once had the early matrons run 
To greet her of a lovely son, 
And now with second hope she goes, 
And calls Lucina to her throes ; 
But, whether by mischance or blame, 
Atropos for Lucina came ; 
And, with remorseless cruelty, 
Spoil 'd at once both fruit and tree ; 
The hapless babe, before his birth, 
Had burial, yet not laid in earth ; 
And the languish'd mother's womb 
Was not long a living tomb. 

So have I seen some tender slip, 
Sav'd with care from winter's nip ; 
The pride of her carnation train 
Pluck'd up by some unheedy swain, 
Who only thought to crop the flower 
New shot up from vernal shower ; 
But the fair blossom hangs the head 
Side-ways, as on a dying bed, 
And those pearls of dew she wearSr 
Prove to be presaging tears, 
Which the sad morn had let fall 
On her hast'ning funeral. 

Gentle Lady, may thy grave 
Peace and quiet ever have. 
After this thy travail sore 
Sweet rest seize thee evermore, 



POEMS. 175 

That to give the world increase, 

Shorten'd haste thy own life's lease. 

Here, besides the sorrowing 

That thy noble house doth bring. 

Here be tears of perfect moan 

Wept for thee in Helicon ; 

And some flowers, and some bays 

For thy hearse to strew the ways. 

Sent thee from the banks of Came, 

Devoted to thy virtuous name ; 

Whilst thou, bright Saint, high sitt'st in glory, 

Next her, much like to thee in story, 

That fair Syrian Shepherdess, 

Wh-0, after years of barrenness, 

The highly favour'd Joseph bore * 

To him that serv'd for her before. 

And at her birth, much like thee, 

Through pangs fled to felicity. 

Far within the bosom bright 

Of blazing Majesty and Light: 

There with thee, new welcome Saint, 

Like fortunes may her soul acquaint, 

With thee there clad in radiant sheen, 

No Marchioness, but now a queen. 



SONG.— ON MAY MORNING. 

Now the bright Morning-star, day's harbinger. 
Comes dancing from the east, and leads with her 
The flowery May, who from her green lap throws 
The yellow cowslip, and the pale primrose. 
Hail, bounteous May, thou dost inspire 
Mirth, and youth, and warm desire ; 
Woods, and groves are of thy dressing, 
Hill, and dale doth boast thy blessing. 
Thus we salute thee with our early song, 
Aad welcome thee, and wish thee long. 



176 POEMS. 

ON SHAKSPEARE. 1630. 

What needs my Shakspeare, for his honour'd bones, 

The labour of an age in piled stones ? 

Or that his hallow'd relics should be hid 

Under a star-ypointing pyramid? 

Dear son of memory, great heir of fame, 

What need'st thou such weak witness of thy name ? 

Thou in our wonder and astonishment 

Hast built thyself a live-long monument. 

For whilst, to th' shame of slow endeavoring art, 

Thy easy numbers flow ; and that each heart 

Hath, from the leaves of thy unvalued book, 

Those Delphic lines with deep inpression took, 

Then thou, our fancy of itself bereaving, 

Dost make us marble with too much conceiving. 

And, so sepulchred, in such pomp dost lie, 

That kings, for such a tomb, would wish to die. 



ON THE UNIVERSITY CARRIER, 

JITw sickened in the time of his vacancy ; being forbid 
to go to London^ by reason of the plague* 

Here lies old Hobson ; Death hath broke his girt, 
And, here, alas ! hath lain him in the dirt ; 
Or else the ways being foul, twenty to one, 
He's here stuck in a slough and overthrown. 
'Twas such a shifter, that, if truth were known, 
Death was half glad when he had got him down ; 
For he had, any time this ten years full, 

* We have the following account of this extraordinary man in 
the Spectator, No. 509. " Mr. Tobias Kobson was a carrier, and 
the first man in this island who let out hackney-horses. He lived 
in Cambridge ; and observing that the scholars rid hard, his man- 
ner was, to keep a large stable of horses, with boots, bridles, and 



POEMS, 377 

Dodg'd with him, betwixt Cambridge and the Bull. 

And surely Death could never have prevail'd, 

Had not his weekly course of carriage fail'd ; 

But lately finding him so long at home, 

And thinking now his journey's end was come, 

And that he had ta'en up his latest inn ; 

In the kind office of a chamberlain 

Shovv'd him his room where h-e must lodge that night, 

Pull'd. off his boots, and took away the light; 

If any ask for him, it shall be said, 

Hobson has supp'd, and's newly gone to bed. 



ANOTHER ON THE SAME. 

Here lieth one, who did most truly prove 

That he could never die, while he could move ; 

So hung his destiny, never to rot 

While he might still jog on and keep his trot, 

Made of sphere-metal, never to decay 

Until his revolution was at stay. 

Tim.e numbers motion, yet (without a crime 

'Gainst old truth) motion number'd out his time : 

And, like an engine mov'd with wheel and weight 

His principles being ceas'd, he ended straight. 

whips, to furnish the gentlemen at once, without going from col- 
lege to college to borrow, as they have done since the death of this 
worthy man : I say, Mr. Hobson kept a stable of forty good cat- 
tle, always ready and fit for travelling : but when, a man came for 
horse, he was led into the stable, where there was great choice ; 
ut he obliged him to take the horse which stood next to the sta- 
c-door, so that every customer was alike well served, according 
his chance, and every horse ridden with the same justice. From 
whence it became a proverb, when what ought to be your election 
was forced upon you, to say Hobson' s choice. This memorable 
man stands drawn in fresco at an inn (which he used) in Bishops- 
gate-strcet, with a hundred pound bag under his arm, with this in- 
xjrntion upon the said bag : 

The fruitful mother of a hundred more." 



178 



POEMS. 



Rest, that gives all men life, gave him his death 
And too much breathing put him out of breath : 
Nor were it contradiction to affirm. 
Too long vacation hasten'd on his term. 
Merely to drive the time away he sicken 'd, 
Fainted, and died, nor would vv^iui ale be quickcn'd 
Nay, quoth he, on his swooning bed out-stretch'd 
[f I may'nt carry, sure I'll ne'er be fetch'd, 
But vow, though the cross doctors all stood hearers, 
For one carrier put down to make to malce six bear- 
ers. 
Ease was his chief disease ; and, to judge right, 
He died for heaviness that his cart went light ; 
His leisure told him that his time was come, 
And lack of load made his life burdensome, 
That even to his last breath, (there be that say't,) 
As he were press'd to death, he cried, More weight ; 
But, had his doings lasted as they were, 
He had been an immortal carrier. 
Obedient to the moon he spent his date, 
In course reciprocal, and had his fate 
Link'd to the mutual flowing of the seas 
Yet (strange to think) his wain was his increase : 
His letters are deliver'd all and gone, 
Only remains this superscription. 



ARCADES.* 

Part of an Entertainment 'presented to the Countess 
Dowager of Derby at Harejield, by some noble jtersona 
of her family, who appear on the scene in pastoral habit 
moving toward the seat of state, with this Sotig. 

L SONG. 

Look, Nymphs and Shepherds, look, 
What sudden blaze of majesty 

♦ This poesra is only part of an Entertainment, or Mask, the lesl 



POEMS. 179 

Is that which wg from hence descry, 

Too divine to be mistook : * ' 

This, this is she 
To whom our vows and wishes bend : 
Here our solemn search hath end. 
Fame, that, her high worth to raise 
Seem'd erst so lavish and profuse, 
"We may justly now accuse 
Of detraction from her praise ; 

Less than half we find express'd, 

JEnvy bid conceal the rest. 

Mark, what radiant state she spreads, 
In circle round her shining throne, 
Shooting her beams like silver threads ; 
This, this is she alone, 

Sitting like a goddess bright, 

In the centre of her light. 

Might she the wise Latona be, 
Or the tower'd Cybele, 
Mother of a hundred gods ; 
Juno dares not give her odds : 

Who had thought this clime had held 

A deity so unparallel'd ? 

probably being of a different nature, or composed by a different 
hand. This Countess Dowager of Derby to whom it was pre«!en- 
ted, must have been Alice, daughter of Sir John Spencer of Al- 
*irT^,-^P^^?^™P*°"^^^'^^' ^"^ widow of Ferdinando Stanley, the 
fafth Earl of Derby. And as Harefield is in Middlesex, and, ac 
cordmg to Camden, lieth a little to the north of Uxbridge, we may 
conclude, that Milton made this poem while he resided in thai 
neighbourhood with his father at Horton near Colebrooke. P 
should seem too, that it was made before the mask at Ludlow, as it 
is a more imperfect essay. And Frances, the second daut^hter of 
this Countess Dowager of Derby, being married to John Earl of 
Bndgewater, before whom was presented flie Mask at Ludiow, we 
may conceive in some measure how Milton was induced to com' 
pose the one after the other. The alliance between the families na- 
turally and easily accounts for it : and in all probability, the Gen- 
ius of the wood in this poem, as well as the attendant Spirit in the 
Mask, was Mr. Henry Lawes, who was the orreat master of mu- 
sic at that time, and taught most of tht^ voung nobilitv. 



380 POEMS. 



As they come forward, the Genius of the Wood appears^ 
and turning towards them, speaks. 

GENIUS. 

Stay, gentle Swains ; for, though in this disguise 

I see bright honour sparkle through your eyes ; 

Of famous Arcady ye are, and sprung 

Of that renowned flood, so often sung ; 

Divine Alpheus, who by secret sluice 

Stole under seas to meet his Arethuse ; 

And ye, the breathing roses of the wood. 

Fair, silver-buskin'd Nymphs, as great and good ; 

I know, this quest of yours, and free intent. 

Was all in honour and devotion meant 

To the great mistress of yon princely shrine, 

Whom with low reverence I adore as mine ; 

And with all helpful service will comply, 

To further this night's glad solemnity ; 

And lead ye, where ye may more near behold 

What shallow-searching Fame hath left untold , 

Which I full oft, amidst these shades alone, 

Have sat to wonder at, and gaze upon : 

For know, by lot from Jove, I am the Power 

Of this fair wood, and live in oaken bower. 

To nurse the saplings tall, and curl the grove 

With ringlets quaint, and wanton windings wove 

And all my plants I save from nightly ill 

Of noisome winds, and blasting vapours chill : 

And from the boughs brush off the evil dew. 

And heal the arms of thwarting thunder blue, 

Or what the cross, dire4ooking planet smites, 

Or hurtful worm Avith canker'd venom bites. 

When evening gray doth rise, I fetch my round, 

Over the mount, and all this hallow'd ground, 

And early, ere the odourous breath of morn 

Awakes the slumb'ring leaves, or tassel'd horn 

Shakes the high thicket, haste I all about, 

Number my ranks, aod visit every sprout 



POEMS. 181 

With puissant words, and murmurs made to bless : 

But else in deep of night when drowsiness 

Hath iock'd up mortal sense, then listen I 

To the celestial Syrens' harmony, 

That sit upon the ninefolded spheres, 

And sing to those that hold the vital shears ; 

And turn the adamantine spindle round. 

On which the fate of Gods and Men is wound. 

Such sweet compulsion doth in music lie, 

To lull the daughters of Necessity, 

And keep unsteady Nature to her law. 

And the low world in measur'd motion draw 

After the heavenly tune, which none can hear 

Of human mould with gross unpurged ear ; 

And yet such music worthiest were to blaze 

The peerless height of her immortal praise. 

Whose lustre leads us, and for her most fit^ 

If my inferior hand or voice could hit 

Inimitable sounds : yet, as we go, 

Whate'er the skill of lesser gods can show, 

I will assay her worth to celebrate. 

And so attend ye toward her glittering state ; 

Where ye may all, that are of noble stem. 

Approach, and kiss her sacred vesture's henif 

II. SONG. 

O'er the smooth enamell'd green 
Where no print of step hath been, 

Follow me, as I sing 

And touch the warbled string, 
Under the shady roof 
Of branching elm star-proof. 

Follow me ; 
I will bring you where she sits, 
Clad in splendour, as befits 

Her deity. 
Such a rural Queen 
All Arcadia hath not seen. 
O 



182 /OEMS. 



III. SONG. 

Nymphs and Shepherds, dance no more 
By sandy Ladon's lilied banks ; 
On old Lycseus, or Cyllene hoar, 
Trip no more in twilight ranks ; 
Though Erymanth your loss deplore, 

A better soil shall give ye thanks. 
From the stony MsBnalus 
Bring your flocks, and live with us ; 
Here ye shall h-ave greater grace, 
To serve- the Lady of this place. 
Though Syrinx your Pan's mistress were, 
Yet Syrinx well might wait on her. 
Such a rural Queen 
All Arcadia hath not seen. 



LYCIDAS.* 



In this Monody, the author bewails a learned frienay 
unfortunately drowned in his passage from Chester on 
the Irish seas^ 1637; and by occasion foretells the 
ruin of our corrupted clergy, then in their height. 

Yet once more, O ye laurels, and once more 

Ye myrtles brown, with ivy never sere, 

I come to pluck your berries harsh and crude ; 

And, with forc'd fingers rude. 

Shatter your leaves before the mellowing year : 

Bitter constraint, and sad occasion dear, 

* This poem was made upon the unfortunate and untimely 
death of Mr. Edward King, son of Sir John King, Secretary for 
Ireland, a fellow collegian and intimate friend of Milton, who, as 
he was going to visit his relations in Ireland was drowned, Aug. 
10, 1637, in the 25th year of his age. This poem is with great judg- 
ment made of the pastoral kind, as both Mr. King and Milton 
had been designed for holy orders and the pastoral care, which 
gives a peculiar propriety to several passages m it. 



POEMS. 183 

Compels me to disturb your season due : 
For Lycidas is dead, dead ere his prime, 
Young Lycidas, and hath not left his peer : 
Who would not sing for Lycidas ? he knew 
Himself to sing, and build the lofty rhyme. 
He must not float upon his wat'ry bier 
Unwept, and welter to the parching wind, 
Without the meed of some melodious tear. 

Begin then, Sisters of the sacred well, 
That from beneath the seat of Jove doth spring; 
Begin, and somewhat loudly sweep the string. 
Hence with denial vain, and coy excuse : 
So may some gentle Muse 
With lucky words favour my d&stin'd urn, 
And, as he passes, turn., 
And bid fair peace be to my sable shroud : 
For we were nurs'd upon the self-SEune hill, 
Fed the same flock by fountain, shade, and rill. 
Together both, ere the high lawns appear'd 
Under the opening eye-lids of the morn, 
We drove afield, and both together heard 
What time the gray-fly winds her sultry horn. 
Battening our flocks with the fresh dews of night, 
Oft, till the star that rose at evening, bright, 
Toward Heaven's descent had slop'd his west'ring 

wheel. 
Meanwhile the rural ditties were not mute, 
Temper'd to th' oaten flute ; 

Rough Satyrs danc'd, and Fawns with cloven heel 
From the glad sound would not be absent long; 
And old Damoetas lov'd to hear our song. 

But, the heavy change, now thou art gone, 
Nfow thou art gone, and never must return ! 
Thee, Shepherd, thee the woods, and desert caves. 
With wild thyme and the gadding vine o'ergrown, 
And all their echoes mourn : 
The willows, and hazel copses green, 
Shall now no more be seen, 
Fanning their ioyous leaves to thy soft lays. 



184 POEMS. 

As killing as the canker to the rose, 

Or taint-worm to the weanling-herds that graze, 

Or frost to flowers, that their gay wardrobe wear, 

When first the white-thorn blow ; 

Such, Lycidas, thy loss to shepherd's ear. 

Where were ye. Nymphs, when the remorseles 
deep 
Clos'd o'er the head of your lov'd Lycidas? 
, For neither were ye playing on the steep. 
Where your old bards, the famous Druids, lie, 
Nor on the shaggy top of Mona high. 
Nor yet where Deva spreads her wizard stream : 
Ay me ! I fondly dream ! 

Had ye been there — for what could that have done * 
What could the Muse herself that Orpheus bore, 
The Muse herself, for her enchanting son, 
Whom universal Nature did lament. 
When, by the rout that made the hideous roar, 
His gory visage down the stream was sent, 
Down the swift Hebrus to the Lesbian shore ? 

Alas ! what boots it with incessant care 
To tend the homely, slighted shepherd's trade, 
And strictly meditate the thankless Muse ? 
Were it not better done, as other use, 
To sport with Amarylis in the shade, 
Or with the tangles of Nesera's hair, 
Fame is the spur that the clear spirit doth raise, 
(That last infirmity of noble mind,) 
To scorn delights, and live laborious day ; 
But the fair guerdon when we hope to find, 
And think to burst out into sudden blaze. 
Comes to blind Fury with th' abhorred shears, 
And slits the thin-spun life. But not the praise, 
Phoebus replied, and touch'd my trembling ears ; 
Fame is no plant that grows on mortal soil. 
Nor in the glist'ring foil. 
Set off to the world, nor in broad rumor lies ; 
But lives and spreads aloft by those pure eyes, 
And perfect witness of all-judging Jove 



»OEMS. 



M 



A.S he pronounces lastly on each deed, 

Of so much fame in Heaven expect thy meed 

O fountain Arethuse, and thou honour'd flood. 
Smooth-sliding- Mincius, crown'd with vocal reeds, 
That strain I heard was of a higher mood : 
But now my oat proceeds, 
A.nd listens to the herald of the sea 
That came in Neptune's plea ; 
He ask'd the waves, and ask'd the felon winds, 
What hard mishap hath doom'd this gentle swain ? 
And question'd every gust of rugged winds, 
That blows from off each beaked promontory : 
They knew not of his story ; 
And sage Hippotades their answer brings, 
That not a blast was from his dungeon stray'd. 
The air was calm, and on the level brine 
Sleek Panope with all her sisters play'd. 
It was that fatal and perfidious bark, 
Built in th' eclipse, and rigg'd with curses dark, 
That sank so low that sacred head of thine. 

Next Camus, reverend sire, went footing slow 
His mantle hairy, and his bonnet sedge, 
Inwrought with figures dim, and on the edge 
Like to that sanguine flower inscribed with wo. 
Ah I who hath reft (quoth he) my dearest pledge ?^ 
Last came, and last did go, 
The pilot of the Galilean lake ; 
Two massy keys he bore of metals twain, 
(The golden opes, the iron shuts amain,) 
He shook his mitred locks, and stern bespake ; 
How well could I have spar'd for thee, young swain, 
Enow of such, as for their bellies' sake 
>eep, and intrude, and climb into the fold ? 
Of other care they little reck'ning make. 
Than how to scramble at the shearers' feast, 
And shove away the worthy bidden guest ; 
Blind mouths I that scarce themselves know how to 

hold 
A sheep-hook, or have learn 'd aught else the least 
Q* 



186 POEMSi 

That to the faithful herdsman's art belongs J 

What recks it them ? What need they ? They are 



And, when they list, their lean and flashy songs 
Grate on their scrannel pipes of wretched straw > 
The hungry sheep look up, and are not fed, 
But, swoln with wind, and the rank mist they draw, 
Rot inwardly, and foul contagion spread : 
Besides what the grim wolf with privy paW 
Daily devours apace, and nothing said : 
But that two handed engine at the door 
Stands ready to smite once, and smite no more. 

Return, Alpheus, the dread voice is past, 
That shrunk thy streams ; return, Sicilian Muse, 
And call the vales, and bid them hither cast 
Their bells and flowerets of a thousand hues. 
Ye valleys low, where the mild whispers use 
Of shades, and wanton winds, and gushing brooks, 
Orl whose fresh lap the swart-star sparely looks. 
Throw hither all your quaint enamell'd eyes, 
That on the green-turf suck the honied showers, 
And purple all the ground with vernal flowers. 
Bring the rathe primrose that forsaken dies. 
The tufted crow-toe, and pale jessamine. 
The white pink, and the pansy freak'd with jet, 
The glowing violet. 

The musk-rose, and the well attir'd woodbine, 
With cowslips wan that hang the pensive head. 
And every flower that sad embroidery wears : 
Bid amaranthus all his beauty shed. 
And daflbdillies fill their cups with tears, 
*ro strew the Laureate hearse where Lyciad lies. 
For, so to interpose a little ease, 
Let our frail thoughts dally with false surmise. 
Ay me ! whilst thee the shores and sounding seas 
Wash far away, where'er thy bones are hurl'd, 
Whether beyond the stormy Hebrides, 
Where thou perhaps under the whelming tide 
Visit'st the bottom of the monstrous world , 



POEMS. 187 

Or whether thou, to our moist vows denied, 
Sleep'st by the fable of Bellerus old, 
Wliere the great Vision of the guarded Mount, 
Looks tow'rd Namancos and Bayona's hold ; 
Look homeward, Angel, now, and melt with ruth ; 
And, O ye dolphins, Avaft the hapless youth. 

Weep no more, woful shepherds, weep no more, 
For Lycidas, your sorrow, is not dead, 
Sunk though he be beneath the watery floor ; 
So sink:s the day-star in the ocean bed. 
And yet anon repairs his drooping head. 
And tricks his beams, and with new spangled ore 
Flames in the forehead of the morning sky ; 
So Lycidas sunk low, but mounted high, 
Through the dear might of Him that walk'd the waves 
Where other groves and other streams along, 
With nectar pure his oozy locks he laves, 
And hears th' unexpressive nuptial song, 
In the bless'd kingdoms meek of joy and love. 
There entertain him all the saints above, 
In solemn troops, and sweet societies, 
That, singing, in their glory move. 
And wipe the tears for ever from his eyes. 
Now, Lycidas, the shepherds weep no more ; 
Henceforth thou art the Genius of the shore, 
In thy large recompense, and shalt be good 
To all that wander in that perilous flood. 

Thus sang tho uncouth swain to the oaks and rills, 
While the still morn went out with sandals gray, 
He touch'd the tender stops of various quills. 
With eager thought warbling his Doric lay : 
And now the sun had stretch'd out all the hills. 
And now was dropp'd into the western bay ; 
At last he rose, and twitch'd his mantle blue : 
*ro-morrow to fresh woods and pastures new. 



188 POEMS. 



ON THE NEW FORCERS OF CONSCIENCE 
UNDER THE LONG PARLIAMENT.^ 

Because you have thrown off your Prelate-Lord, 

And with stiff vow renounc'd his Liturgy, 
To seize the widow 'd whore Plurality 
From them whose sin ye envied, not abhorr'd ; 
Dare ye for this abjure the civil sword 

To force our consciences that Christ set free 
And ride us with a classic hierarchy,! 
Taught ye by mere A. S. and Rotherford It 
Men whose life, learning, faith and pure intent. 
Would have been held in high esteem with Paul, 
Must now be named and printed Heretics 
By shallow Edwards^ and scotch what d'ye call :ll 
But we do hope to find out all your tricks, 
Your blots and packing worse than those of Trent 
That so the parliament 
May, with their wholesome and preventive shears, 
Clip your phylacteries, though balk your ears, 
And succour our just fears, 
When they shall read this clearly in your charge, 
New Presbyter is but Old Priest writ large. 

* This poem is supposed to have been made when the Direct- 
ory was established, and disputes ran high between the Presby- 
terians and Independents in 1G45, the latter pleading for a tolera- 
tion, and the tormer against it. 

t In the Presbyterian form of government there are congrega- 
tional, classical, provincial, and national assemblies. 

t It is not known who is meant by A. S. Mr. Samuel Rother- 
ford was Professor of Divinity at St. Andrew's, and one of the 
Scotch commissioners to the Westminister assembly. 

§ Mr. Thomas Edwards, author of the Gangrcena. 

II Either Mr. Alexander Henderson or Mr. George Gillespie^ 
both commissioners to the Westminister assembly. 



POEMS. 189 



THE FIFTH ODE OF HORACE, Lib. I. 

Quis multa gracilis te puer in rosa, rendered almost 
word for word without rhyme, according- to th 
Latin measure, as near as the language will permit 

What slender youth, bedew'd with liquid odours, 
Courts thee on roses in some pleasant cave, 

Pyrrha ? for whom bind'st thou 

In wreaths thy golden hair. 

Plain in thy neatness ? O, how oft shall he 
On faith and changed gods complain, and seas 

Rough -^vith black winds, and storms 

Unwonted shall admire ! 

Who now enjoys thee credulous, all gold. 
Who always vacant, always amiable 

Hopes thee, of flattering gales 

Unmindful. Hapless they 

To whom thou untried seem'st fair ! Me, in my 

vow'd 
Picture, the sacred wall declares to have hung 

My dank and dropping weeds 

To the stern god of sea. 



SONNETS 



TO THE NIGHTINGALE. 

O Nightingale, that on yon bloomy spray 
Warblest at eve, when all the woods are still ; 
Thou with fresh hope the lover's heart dost fill, 
While the jolly Hours lead on propitious May. 

Thy liquid notes that close the eye of day, 
First heard before the shallow cuckoo's bill, 
Portend success in love ; O, if Jove's will 
Have link'd that amorous power to thy soft lay, 

Now timely sing, ere the rude bird of hate 

Foretel my hopeless doom, in some grove nigh ; 
As thou, from year to year, hast sung too late 

For my relief, yet hadst no reason why : 

Whether the Muse, or Love, call thee his mate, 

Both them I serve^ and of their train am I 



ON HIS BEING ARRIVED TO THE AGE 
OF TWENTY-THREE. 

How soon hath Time, the subtle thief of youth, 
Stol'n on his wing my three-and -twentieth year! 
My hasting days fly on with full career. 
But my late spring no bud or blossom shew'th. 

Perhaps my semblance might deceive the truth, 
That I to manhood am arriv'd so near ; 

And inward ripeness doth much less appear 

That some more timely-happy spirits endu'th. 



192 SONNETS. 

Yet be it less or more, or soon or slow, 
It shall be still in strictest measure even 
To that same lot, however mean or high. 

Toward which Time leads me, and the will of Hea« 
ven; 

All is, if I have grace to use it so. 

As ever in my great Task-Master's eye. 



WHEN THE ASSAULT WAS INTENDED 
TO THE CITY,=^ 

Captain, or Colonel, or Knight in arms 

Whose chance on these defenceless door may 
seize. 

If deed of honour did thee ever please, 
Guard them, and him within protect from harms : 
He can requite thee ; for he knows the charms 

That call Fame on such gentle acts as these, 

And he can spread thy name o'er land and seas, 
What ever clime the sun's bright circle warms. 
Lift not thy spear against the Muses' bower : 

The great Emathian conquerer bid spare 
The house of Pindarus, when temple and tower 

Went to the ground ; and the repeated air 
Of sad Electra's poet had the power 

To save th' Athenian walls from ruin bare. 



TO A VIRTUOUS YOUNG LADY. 

Lady, that in the prime of earliest youth 
Wisely hast shunn'd the broad way and the green, 

♦ In the manuscript after the title, is added 1642. It was in 
November of that year that the King marched with his army as 
neaf Its Brentford, and put the city in great consternation. 



SONNETS. 



i9d 



And with those few art eminently seen, 

That labour up the hill of heavenly truth ; 

The better part with Mary and with Ruth 
Chosen thou hast ; and they that overween, 
And at thy gi'owing virtues fret their spleen, 
No anger find in thee but pity and ruth. 

Thy care is fix'd, and zealously attends 

To fill thy odorous lamp with deeds of light. 
And hope that reaps not shame. Therefore be sure 

Thou, when the Bridegroom, with his feastful friends 
Passes to bliss, at the mid hour of night. 
Hast gain'd thy entrance, Virgin wise and pure. 



TO THE LADY MARGARET LEY.* 

Daughter to that good Earl, once President 
Of England's Council, and her Treasury, 
Who liv'd in both, unstain'd with gold or fee. 
And left them both, more m himself content. 

Till the sad breaking of that Parliament 
Broke him, as that dishonest victory 
At Chaeronea fatal to liberty, 
Kill'd with report that old man eloquent. 

Though later born than to have known the days 

* We have given the title which is in Milton's Manuscript, Tb 
the Lady Margaret Ley. She was the daughter of Sir James 
Ley, whose singular learning and abilities raised him through all 
the great posts of the law, till he came to be made Earl of Marlbo- 
rough, and Lord High Treasurer, and Lord President of the 
Council to King James I. He died in an advanced age, and Mil- 
ton attributes his death to the breaking of the parliament ; and it 
is true that the parhament was dissolved the 10th of March, 
1628-9, and he died on the 14th ofthe same month. He left several 
sons and daughters ; and the Lady Margaret was married to Cap- 
tain Hobson, of the Isle of Wight. It appears from the accounts 
of Milton's life, that in the year 1643 he used frequently to visit 
this lady and her husband, and about that time we may suppose 
this sonnet was composed. 

R 



194 SONNETS. 

Wherein your father flourish'd, yet by you, 
Madam, methinks I see him living yet ; 
So well your words his noble virtues praise, 
That all both judge you to relate them true, 
And to possess them, honour'd Margaret. 



On the Detraction which followed upon the writing 
certain Treaties.* 

A BOOK was writ of late calPd Tetrachordon, 
And woven 3lose, both matter, form, and style ; 
The subject new : it walk'd the town awhile, 
Numb'ring good intellects ; now seldom por'd on. 

Cries the stall reader. Bless us ! what a word on 
A title page is this ! and some in file 
Stand spelling false, while one might walk to Mile- 
End Green. Why is it harder, Sirs, than Gordon, 

Colkitto, or Macdonnel, or Galasp ?t 

Those rugged names to our like mouths grow 

sleek, 
That would have made Quintillian stare and gasp ; 

Thy age, like ours O soul of Sir John Cheek,:^ 

♦ When Milton published his book of Divorce, he was greatly 
condemned by the Presbyterian ministers, whose advocate and 
champion he had been before. He published his Tetrachordon, 
at Expositions upon the four chief places in Scripture, which treat 
of marriage, or nullities in marriage, in 1645. 

t " We may suppose, (says Dr. Newton,) that these were per 
sons of note and eminence among the Scotch ministers who were 
for pressing and enforcing the covenant." Mr. George Gillespie, 
lere wrongously named Galasp^ was one of the Scotch commis- 
ioners to the Westminister assembly. But who the* other persons 
were is not known. It appears from this sonnet, and the verses 
tita the forcers of conscience^ that Milton treats the Presbyterians 
with great contempt. 

t This Gentleman was the first Professor of the Greek tongue 
in the university of Cambridge, and was highly instrumental in 
bringing that language into repute. He was afterwards made one 
of the tutors to Edward VI. 



SONNETS. 195 

Hated not learning worse than toad or asp, 
When thou taught'st Cambridge, and king Ed- 
ward, Greek. 



ON THE SAME. 

I DID but prompt the age to quit their clogs 
By the known rules of ancient liberty. 
When straight a barbarous noise environs me 
Of owls and cuckoos, asses, apes and dogs : 

As when those hinds that were transform'd to frog^ 
Rail'd at Latona's twin-born progeny, 
Which after held the sun and moon in fee. 
But this is got by casting pearl to hogs ; 

That bawl for freedom in their senseless mood. 
And still revolt when truth would set them free 
License they mean when they cry Liberty ; 

For who loves that, must first be wise and good : 
But from that mark how far they rove we see, 
For all this waste of weahh, and loss of blood. 



TO MR. H. LA WES, ON HIS AIRS, 1645.* 

Harry, whose tuneful and well-measur'd song 
First taught our English music how to span 
Words with just note and accent not to scan 
With Midas' ears, committing short and long ; 

Thy worth and skill exempts thee from the throng, 
With praise enough for Envy to look wan ; 
To after age thou shalt be writ the man, 
That with smooth air could humour best our tongue. 

Thou honour'st verse, and verse must lend her wing 

♦ This Mr, Henry Lawes was a gentleman of the king's chapel, 
end one of his band of music, and an intimate friend of Miltoij, 



196 SONNETS. 

To honour thee, the priest of Phoebus' choir, 
That tun'st their happiest lines in hymn, or story. 
Dante shall give fame leave to set thee higher 
Than his Casella, whom he woo'd to sing, 
Met in the milder shades of Purgatory. 



On the religious memory of Mrs. Catharine Thomson, 
my Christian Friend, deceased IQtJi of December^ 
1646.* 

When faith and love, which parted from thee never, 
Had ripen'd thy just soul to dwell with God, 
Meekly thou didst resign this earthly load 
Of death, call'd life ; which us from life doth sever. 

Thy works, and alms, and all thy good endeavour, 
Stay'd not behind, nor in the grave were trod : 
But, as Faith pointed with her golden rod, 
Follow'd thee up to joy and bliss for ever. 

Love led them on, and faith who knew them best 
Thy hand-maids, clad them o'er with purple 

beams 
And azure wings, that up they flew so dress'd 

And spake the truth of thee on glorious themes 
Before the Judge : who thenceforth bid thee rest, 
And drink thy fill of pure immortal streams. 



TO THE LORD GENERAL FAIRFAX.! 

Fairfax, whose name in arms through Europe rings 
Filling each mouth with envy or with praise, 

♦ "Who this Mrs. Thomson was, (says Dr. Newton,) we can 
not be certain ; but I find in the accounts of Milton's life, that 
when he was first made Latin Secretary, he lodged at one Tbom- 
eon's, next door to the Bull-head tavern at Charing-cross. This 
Mrs. Thomson, therefore, was, in all probability, one of that 
family." 

t This sonnet appears, from the manuscript, to have been ad 



SONNETS. 



197 



And all her jealous monarchs with amaze 
And rumours loud, that daunt remotest kings ; 

Thy firm, unshaken virtue, ever brings 
Victory home, though new rebellions raise 
Their Hydra heads, and the false North displays 
Her broken league, to imp their Serpent wings. 

O yet a nobler task awaits thy hand, 

(For what can war but endless war still breed ?) 
Till truth and right from violence be freed. 

And public faith clear'd from the shameful brand 
Of public fraud. In vain doth valour bleed, 
While Avarice and Rapine share the land. 



TO THE LORD GENERAL CROMWELL.=* 

Cromwell, our chief of men who through a cloud 
Not of war only, but detractions rude, 
Guided by faith and matchless fortitude, 
To peace and truth thy glorious way hast ploujt^^V 

And on the neck of crown'd fortune proud 

Hast rear'd God's trophies, and his works puisuea, 
While Darwen stream, with blood of Scots im* 

brued. 
And Dunbar field resounds thy praises loud. 

And Worcester's laureate wreath. Yet much remaina 
To conquer still ; Peace hath her victories 
No less renown'd than War : new foes arise 

Threat'ning to bind our souls with secular chains : 
Help us to save free conscience from the pa\\ 
Of hireling wolves, whose gospel is their maw. 

sed to Gen. Fairfax at the seige of Colchester, which was cap- 
on in the summer of 1648. 

In the Author's manuscript is this incription : To the Lord 
eral Cromwell, May 1652. On the proposals of certain 
ifitert at the committee for propagation of the GospeL 

R* 



198 SONNETS. 



TO SIR HENRY VANE THE YOUNGER 

Vane, young in years, but in sage counsel old, 
Than whom a better Senator ne'er held 
The helm of Rome, when gowns, not arms, repell'd 
The fierce Epirot, and th' African bold, 

Whether to settle peace, or to unfold 

The drift of tiollow states hard to be spell'd : 
Then to advise how War may, best upheld, 
Move by her two main nerves, iron and gold, 

In all her equipage ; besides to know 

Both spiritual power and civi], what each means, 
What severs each, thou hast learn'd which few 
have done : 

The bounds of either sword to thee we owe ; 
Therefore on thy firm hand religion leans 
In peace, and reckons thee her eldest son. 



ON THE LATE MASSACRE IN 
PIEDMONT. =^ 

Avenge, O Lord thy slaughter'd saints, whose 
bones 

* This persecution of the Protestants in Peidmont broke out 
in 1655. In May, that year, Cromwell wrote several letters to 
the Duke of Savoy, and other potentates and states complaining 
of that persecution. Echard tells us, that he proclaimed a fast, 
and caused large contributions to be gathered for them in Eng- 
land ; that he sent his agents to the Duke of Savoy, a prince with 
whom he had no correspondence or commerce, and the next year, 
so engaged Cardinal Mazarine, and even terrified the Pope him- 
self, without so much as doing any favour to the English Roman 
Catholics, that the Duke thought it necessary to restore all that he 
had taken from them, and renewed all those privileges they had 
formerly enjoyed. •' So great (adds Echard) was the terror of 
his name ; nothing being more usual than his saying, that his 
ships in the Medditerranean should visit Civita Veccma, and the 
sound of his cannon should be heard in Rome." 



SONNETS. 199 

Lie scatter'd on the Alpine mountains cold 
Ev'n them who kept thy truth so pure of old, 
When all our fathers worshipp'd stocks and stones, 

Forg:et not in thy book : record their groans 
Who were thy sheep, and in their ancient folds 
Slain by the bloody Piedmontese, that roll'd 
Mother with infant down the rocks. Their moans 

The vales redoubled to the hills, and they 

To Heaven. Their martyr 'd blood and ashes sow 
O'er all th' Italian fields, where still doth sway 

The triple Tyrani : that from these may grow 
A hundred fold, who having learn'd thy way, 
Early may fly the Babylonian wo. 



ON HIS BLINDNESS. 

When I consider how my light is spent 
Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide, 
And that one talent which is death to hide, 
Lodg'd with me useless, though my soul more bent 

To serve therewith my Maker, and present 
My true account, lest he, returning, chide ; 
Doth God exact day-labour, light denied ? 
I fondly ask : but Patience, to prevent 

That murmur, soon replies, God doth not need 
Either man's work, or his own gifts ; who best 
Bear his mild yoke, they serve him best; his state 

Is kingly ; thousands at his bidding speed, 
And post o'er land and ocean without rest; 
They also serve who only stand and wait. 



200 SONNETS. 



TO MR. LAWRENCE.* 

Lawrence, of virtuous father virtuous son, 

Now that the fields are dank, and ways are mire, 
Where shall we sometimes meet, and by the fire 
Help waste a sullen day, what may be won 

From the hard season gaining ? time will run 
On smoother, till Favonius re-inspire 
The frozen earth, and clothe in fresh attire 
The lily and rose, that neither sow'd nor spun. 

What neat repast shall feast us, light and choice* 
Of Attic taste, with wine whence we may rise 
To hear the lute well touch 'd, or artful voice, 

Warble immortal notes, and Tuscan air ? 

He who of those delights can judge, and spare 
To interpose them oft, is not unwise. 



TO CYRIAC SKINNER. t 

Cy.riac, whose grandsire, on the royal bench 
Of British Themis, with no mean applause 
Pronounc'd, and in his volumes taught, our laws, 
Which others at their bar so often wrench ; 

To-day deep thoughts resolve with me to drench 
In mirth, that after, no repenting draws ; 
Let Euclid rest, and Archimedes pause. 
And what the Swede intends, and what the French : 

To measure life learn thou betimes, and know 

* This Mr. Lawrence was the Son of the President of Crom- 

ell's council. 

t Cyriac Skinner was the son of William Skinner, Esqr,, and 
grandson of Sir Vincent Skinner, and his mother was daughter 
of the famous Lord Chief Justice Coke. Mr. Wood relates that 
he was one of Harrington's political club, and sometimes held 
the chair ; and further adds, that he was a merchant's son of 
London, an ingenious young gentleman, and scholar to John 
Mkou.' 



SONNETS. 201 

Toward solid good what leads the neaiest way ; 
For other things mild Heaven a time ordains, 
And disapproves that care, though wise in show, 
That with superfluous burden loads the day, 
And when God sends a cheerful hour, refrains. 



TO THE SAME. 

Cyriac, this three-years-day these eyes, though clear. 
To outward view, of blemish or of spot. 
Bereft of light, their seeing have forgot ; 
Nor to their idle orbs doth sight appear 

Of sun, or moon, or star, throughout the year, 
Or man, or woman. Yet I argue not 
Against Heaven's hand or will, nor bate a jot 
Of heart or hope ; but still bear up and steer 

Right onward. What supports me dost thou ask ? 
The conscience, Friend, to have lost them over plied 
In liberty's defence, my noble task, 

Of which all Europe talks from side to side. 

This thought might lead me through the world's 
vain mask 

Content, though blind, had I no better guide. 



ONHIS DECEASED WIFE.* 

Methought I saw my late espous'd saint 
Brought to me, like Alcestis, from the grave, 
Whom Jove's great son to her glad husband gave, 
Rescued from death by force, though pale and faint 

* This was his second wife, Catharine, the daughter of Captain 
Woodcock of Hackney, who lives! with him not above a year after 
their marriage, and died in child-bed of a daughter. 



202 SONNETS. 

Mine, as whom wash'd from spot of child-bed taint. 
Purification in th' old Law did save, 
And such, as yet once more I trust to have 
Full sight of her in Heaven without restraint, 

Came vested all in white, pure as her mind : 
Her face was veil'd ; yet, to my fancied sight, 
Love, sweetness, goodness, in her person shin'd 

So clear, as in no face with more delight : 
But O ! as to embrace me she inclin'd, 
I wak'd; she fled ; and day brought back my night. 



PSALMS 



PSALM I. 

[Don?intQ verse, 1653.] 

Bless*d is the man who hath not walk'd astray 
In counsel of the wicked, and i' th' way 
Of sinners hath not stood, and in the seat 
Of scorners hath not sat : but in the great 
Jehovah's law is ever his delight, 
And in his law he studies, day and night.. 
He shall be as a tree which planted grows 
By wat'ry streams, and in his season knows 
To yield his fruit, and his leaf shall not fall, 
And what he takes in hand shall prosper all. 
Not so the wicked, but as chaff which fann'd 
The wind drives, so the wicked shall not stand 
In judgment, or abide their trial then. 
Nor sinners in th' assembly of just men. 
For the Lord knows the upright way of the just, 
And the way of bad men to ruin must. 

PSALMII. 

[Done August 8, 1653.] 

Terzette. 

Why do the Gentiles tumult, and the nations 

Muse a vain thing, the kings of th' earth upStand 
With power, and princes in their congregations 



204 PSALMS. 

Lay deep their plots together through each land 

Against the Lord and his Messiah dear ? 

Let us break off, say they, by strength of hand 
Their bonds, and cast from us, no more to wear. 

Their twisted cords : He, who in heaven doth 
dwell, 

Shall laugh ; the Lord shall scoff them : then severe 
Speak to them in his wrath, and in his fell 

And fierce ire trouble them ; but I, saith he, 

Anointed have my King (though ye rebel) 
On Sion my holy hill. A firm decree 

I will declare ; the Lord to me hath said^ 

Thou art my son, I have begotten thee 
This day ; ask of me, and the grant is made ; 

As thy possession I on thee bestow 

The Heathen ; and as thy conquest to be sway'd, 
Earth's utmost bounds: them shalt thou bring full 
low 

With iron sceptre bruis'd, and them disperse 

Like to a potter's vessel shiver'd so. 
And now be wise at length, ye kings averse, 

Be taught, ye judges of the earth ; with fear 

Jehovah serve, and let your joy converse 
With trembling ; kiss the Son lest he appear 

In anger, and ye perish in the way, 

If once his wrath take fire, like fuel sere. 
Happy all those who have in him their stay. 

PSALM IIL 

[August 9, 1653.] 

When he jled from Absalom, 

Lord, how many are my foes ! 
How many those, 
That in arms against me rise ! 
Many are they, 



PSALMS. 205 

That of my life distrustfully thus say ; 
No help for him in God there lies. 
But thou, Lord, art my shield, my glory, 
Thee, through my story, 
Th' exalter of my head I count ; 

Aloud I cried 
Unto Jehovah, he full soon replied, 
And heard me from his holy mount. 
I lay and slept ; I wak'd again ; 
For my sustain 
Was the Lord. Of many millions 

The populous rout 
I fear not, though encamping round about, 
They pitch against me their pavilions. 
Rise, Lord ; save me, my God ; for thou 

Hast smote, ere now, 
On the cheek-bone, all my foes ; 
Of men abhorr'd 
Hast broke the teeth. This help was from the 
Lord; 
Thy blessing on thy people flows. 

PSALM IV. 
[August 10, 1653.] 

Answer me when I call, 
God of my rightousness ; 
In straits, and in distress. 
Thou didst me disenthral 
And set at large ; now spare, 

Now pity me, and hear my earnest prayer. 
Great ones, how long will ye 
My glory have in scorn ? 
How long be thus forborn 
Still to love vanity ? 
To love, to seek, to prize 

Things false and vain, and nothing else but lies ? 
Yet know the Lorihath choee, 
S 



206 PSALMS. 

Chose to himself apart, 
The good and meek of heart ; 
(For whom to choose he knows,) 
Jehovah from on high 

Will hear my voice, what time to him I cry. 
Be awed, and do not sin ; 
Speak to your hearts alone 
Upon your heds, each one, 
And be at peace within : 
Offer the offerings just 

Of righteousness, and in Jehovah trust. 
Many there be that say, 
Who yet will show us good ? 
Talking like this world's brood : 
But, Lord, thus let me pray ; 
On us lift up the light, 

Lift up the favour of thy count'nance bright. 
Into my heart more joy 
And gladness thou hast put 
Than when a year of glut 
Their stores doth over cloy, 
And from their plenteous grounds 

With vast increase their corn and wine abounds. 
In peace at once will I 
Both lay me down and sleep ; 
For thou alone dost keep 
Me safe where'er I lie. 
As in a rocky cell 

Thou, Lord alone, in safety mak'st me dwell. 

PSALM V. 

[August 12, 1653] 

Jehovah ! to my words give ear, 
My meditation weigh ; 

The voice of my complaining hear, 
My King and God ; for unto thee I pray 



PSALMS. 



207 



Jehovah ! thou my early voice 
Shalt in the morning hear ; 
r th' morning I to thee with choice 
Will rank my prayers, and watch till thou appear. 
For thou art not a God that takes 

In wickedness delight ; 
Evil with thee no biding makes ; 
Fools or mad-men stand not within thy sight. 
All workers of iniquity 

Thou hat'st : and them unbless'd 
Thou wilt destroy that speak a lie ; 
The bloody and guileful man God doth detest ; 
But I will, in thy mercies dear, 

Thy numerous mercies, go 
Into thy house ; I, in thy fear, 
Will tow'rd thy holy temple worship low. 
Lord ! lead me in thy righteousness, 

Lead me, because of those 
That do observe if I transgress ; 
Set thy ways right before, where my step goes. 
For, in his faltering mouth unstable, 

No word is firm or sooth : 
Their inside, troubles miserable ; 
An open grave their throat, their tongue they smooth, 
God ! find them guilty, let them fall 

By their own counsels quell'd ; 
Push them in their rebellions all 
Still on ; for against thee they have rebelPd. 
Then all, who trust in thee, shall bring 

Their joy ; while thou from blame 
Defend'st them, they shall ever sing 
And shall triumph in thee, who love thy name : 
For thou, Jehovah ! wilt be found 

To bless the just man still; 
As with a shield, thou wilt surround 
Him with thy lasting favour and good will. 



208 PSALMS. 



P S A L M V I 

[August 13, 1653. j 

Lord, in thine anger do not reprehend me 
Nor in thy hot displeasure me correct ; 
Pity me, Lord, for I am much deject, 

And very weak and faint ; heal and amend me ; 

For all my bones, that e'en with anguish ake. 
Are troubled, yea my soul is troubled sore. 
And thou, O Lord! how long? Turn, Lord 
restore 

My soul ; O save me for thy goodness' sake ! 

For in death no remembrance is of thee ; 
Who in the grave can celebrate thy praise ? 
Wearied I am with sighing out my days ; 

Nightly my couch I make a kind of sea ; 

My bed I water with my tears ; mine eye 

Through grief consumes, is waxen old and dark 
I' th' midst of all mine enemies that mark. 

Depart all ye that work iniquity, 

Depart from me ; for the voice of my weeping 

The Lord hath heard ; the Lord hath heard my 
prayer. 

My supplication with acceptance fair 

The Lord will own, and have me in his keeping. 

Mine enemies shall all be blank, and dash'd 

With much confusion ; then, grown red with shame, 
They shall return in haste the way they came, 

And in a moment shall be quite abash'd. 



PSALMS 209 

PSALM VII. 

[August 14, 1653.] 

Upon the words of Chush the Benjamite against him 

Lord, my God to thee I fly ; 
Save m€, and secure me under 
Thy protection, while I cry ; 
Lest, as a lion, (and no wonder,) 
He haste to tear my soul asunder, 
Tearing, and no rescue nigh. 

Lord my God , if I have thought 
Or done this ; if wickedness 
Be in my hands ; if I have wrought 
111 to him that meant me peace ; 
Or to him have render'd less, 
V And not freed my foe for naught ; 

Let th' enemy pursue my soul 
And overtake it, let him tread 
My life down to the earth, and roll 
In the dust my glory dead. 
In the dust ; and, there outspread, 
Lodge it with dishonour foul. 

Rise, Jehovah ! in thine ire. 
Rouse thyself amidst the rage 
Of my foes that urge like fire ; 
And wake for me, their fury assuage ; 
Judgment here thou didst engage 
And command, which I desire. 

So th' assemblies of each nation 
Will surround thee, seeking right ; 
Thence to thy glorious habitation 
Return on high, and in their sight. 
S* 



210 PSALMS. 

Jehovah judgeth most upright 

All people from the world's foundation. 

Judge me, Lord; be judge in this 
According to my righteousness, 
And the innocence which is 
Upon me ; cause at length to cease 
Of evil men the wickedness. 
And their power that do amiss. 

But the just establish fast, 

Since thou art the just God that tries 

Hearts and reins. On God is cast 

My defence, and in him lies : 

In him who both just and wise, 

Saves the upright of heart at last. 

God is a just judge and severe, 

And God is every day offended ; 

If the unjust will not forbear, 

His sword he whets, his bow hath bended 

Already, and for him intended 

The tools of death, that wait him near. 

(His arrows purposely made he 
For them that prosecute :) Behold, 
He travels big with vanity ; 
Trouble he hath conceiv'd of old, 
As in a womb ; and from that mould 
Hath at length brought forth a lie. 

He digged a pit and delv'd it deep, 

And fell into the pit he made ; 

His mischief, that due course doth keejk. 

Turns on his head, and his ill trade 

Of violence will, undelay'd, 

Fall on his crown with ruin steep. 

Then will I Jehovah's praise 
According to his justice raise, 



PSALMS 211 

And sing the name and Deity . 
Of Jehovah the Most High I 

PSALM VIII. 
[August 14, 1653.] 

O Jehovah our Lord, how wondrous great 

And glorious is thy Name through all the earth ! 

So as above the heavens thy praise to set 
Out of the tender mouths of latest birth. 

Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings, thou 
Hast founded strength, because of all thy foes, 

To stint the enemy, and slack th' avenger's brow, 
That bends his rage thy providence to oppose. 

When I behold thy heavens, thy fingers' art, 
The moon, and stars, which thou so bright hast 
set 

In the pure firmanent, then saith my heart, 
O, what is man that thou rememb'rest yet, 

And think'st upon him; or of man begot, 
That him thou visit'st, and of him art found ? 

Scarce to be less than gods, thou mad'st his lot. 
With honour and with state thou hast him crown'd. 

O'er the works of thy hand thou mad'st him Lord, 
Thou hast put all under his lordly feet ; 

All flocks, and herds, by thy commanding word, 
All beasts that in the field or forest meet, 

owl of the heavens, and fish that through the wet 
Sea-paths in shoals do slide, and know no dearth : 
O Jehovah our Lord, how wondrous great 

And glorious is thy Name through all the earth ! 



212 PSALMS. 

PSALM LXXX. 

[AprU, 1648. J. M.] 

Nine of the Psalms done into metre, wherein all but 
what is distinguished by inverted commas, are the 
very words of the text translated from the original 

Thou, Shepherd, that doth Israel * keep' 

Give ear ' in time of need ;' 
Who leadest like a flock of sheep 

' Thy loved' Joseph's seed ; 

That sitt'st between the Cherubs ' bright,' 

' Between their wings outspread;' 
Shine forth ' and from their cloud give light,' 

'And on our foes thy dread.' 

In Ephraim's view and Bejamin's, 

And in Manasse's sight, 
Awake =^ thy strength, come, and ' be seen* 

* To' save us ' by thy might.' 

Turn us, again ; ' thy grace divine' 

' To us,' O God ' vouchsafe ;' 
Cause thou thy f^ce on us to shine, 

And then we shall be safe. 

Lord God of Hosts ! how long wilt thou, 

How long wilt thou declare 
Thy t-smoking wrath, ' and angry broW' 

Against thy people's prayer ! 

Thou feed'st them with the bread of tears ; 

Their bread with tears they eat ; 
And mak'st them X largely drink the tears 

* Wherewith their cheeks are wet.' 

* Gjiorera. t Gnashanta. t Shalish. 



vsAJLm. 213 

A strife thou mak'st us * and a prey* 

To every neighbour foe ; 
Among themselves they ^ laugh, they play, * 

And ^flouts at us they throw. . 

Return us, ' and thy grace divine,' 

O God of Hosts ! ' vouchsafe ;' 
Cause thou thy face on us to shine, 

And then we shall be safe. 

A vine from Egypt thou hast brought, 

'Thy free love made it fhine,' 
And drov'st out nations ' proud and haught,* 

To plant this ' lovely' vine. 

Thou didst prepare for it a place, 

And root it deep and fast, 
That it 'began to grow apace,' 

'And' fiU'd the land 'at last.' 

With her 'green' shade that cover'd 'all,* 

The hills were ' overspread ;' 
Her boughs as 'high as' cedars tall 

* Advanc'd their lofty head. 

Her branches ' on the western side' 

Down to the sea she sent, 
And ' upward' to that river ' wide' 

Her other branches * went.' 

Why hast thou laid her hedges low, 

And broken down her fence, 
That all may pluck her, as they go, 

* With rudest violence V 

The ' tusked' boar, out oi the wood, 
Up turns it by the roots ; 

* Jilgnagu. 



214 PSALMS. 

Wild beasts there browse, and make their food 
*Her grapes and tender shoots.' 

Return now, God of Hosts ! look down 

From heaven, thy seat divine ; 
Behold * us, but without a fro^vn,' 

And visit this ' thy' vine. 

Visit this vine, which thy right hand 

Hath set, and planted * long,' 
And the young branch, that for thyself 

Thou hast made firm and strong. 

But ndw it is consum'd with fire, 

And cut ' with axes' down ; 
They perish at thy dreadful ire 

At thy rebuke and frown. 

"Upon the man of thy right hand 

Let thy ' good' hand be * laid ;' 
Upon the son of man, whom thou 

Strong for thyself hast made. 

So shall we not go back from thee 

* To ways of sin and shame ;' 
Quicken us thou ; then ' gladly' we 

Shall call upon thy name. 

Return us, ' and thy grace divine,* 
Lord God of Hosts ! ' vouchsafe ;* 

Cause thou thy face on us to shine ; 
And then we shall be safe. 

PSALM LXXXL 

To God our strength sing loud ' and clear,* 

Sing loud to God * our King ;' 
To Jacob's God ' that all may hear,' 

Loud acclamations ring. 



PSAiMS. 215 

Prepare a hymn, prepare a song, 

The timbrel hither bring 
The * cheerful' psaltery bring along, 

And harp * with' pleasant ' string. * 

Blow, * as is wont,' in the new moon 

With trumpets' ' lofty sound,' 
Th' appointed time, the day whereon 

Our solemn feast ' comes round.' 

This was a statute * given of old,' 

For Israel ' to observe;' 
A law of Jacob's God, ' to hold,' 

* From whence they might not swerve. 

This he a testimony ordain'd 

In Joseph, * not to change ;' 
When as he pass'd through Egypt land 

The tongue I heard was strange. 

From burden, ' and from slavish toil,' 

I set his shoulder free : 
His hands from pots, ' and miry soil,' 

Deliver'd were ' by me.' 

When trouble did thee sore assail, 

' On me then' didst thou call ; 
And I to free thee ' did not fail,' 

And led thee out of thrall.' 

I answer'd thee in ^ thunder deep 

With clouds encompass'd round, 
I tried thee at the water ' steep' 

Of Meriba ' renown'd.' 

Hear, O my people, * hearken well,* 
I testify to thee, 

♦ Be Sether ragnam. 



210 PSALMS. 

•^Thou ancient stock of Israel 
If thou wilt list to me, 

Throughout the land of thy abode 

No alien God shall be, 
Nor shalt thou to a foreign god 

In honour bend thy knee. 

I am the Lord thy God, which brought 

Thee out of Egypt land ; 
Ask large enough, and I, ' besought,' 

"Will grant thy full demand. 

And yet my people would not * hear,' 

* Nor' hearken to my voice ; 
And Israel, ' whom I lov'd so dear,' 

Mislik'd me for his choice. 

Then did I leave them to their will, 
And to their wand'ring mind ; 

Their own conceits they follow'd still, 
Their own devices blind. 

O that my people would ' be wise,* 

*To' serve me * all their days !' 
And O, that Israel would ' advise' 

* To' walk my * righteous' ways ! 

Then would I scyon bring down their foes, 

* That now so proudly rise ;' 

And turn my hand against * all those' 
' That are' their enemies. 

Who hate the Lord should ' then be fain* 

' To' bow to him and bend ; 
But * they, his people, should remain,' 

Their time should have no end. 

And he would feed them * from the shock* 
With flower of finest wheat, 



PSALMS. 217 

And satisfy them from the rock, 
With honey * for their meat.* 

PSALM LXXXII. 

God in the * gieat^ assembly stands 

* Of kings and lordly states ;' 
Among! tiie gods,t on both his hands 

He judges and debates. 

How long will ye I peivert the right 

With t judgment lalse and wrong, 
Favouring the wicked, * by your might,* 

' Who thence grow bold and strong V 

Regard ^ the weak ^ and fatherless, 

Despatch ^ the poor ^ man s cause, 
And II raise the man in deep distress 

By II just and equal laws. 

Defend the poor and desolate, 

And rescue from the hands 
Of wicked men the low estate 

Of him ' that help demands.' 

They know not, nor will unde/t'.fand, 

In darkness they walk on , 
The earth's foundations all are tf mov'd, 

And IT out of order gone. 

I said that ye were gods ; yea, all 

The sons of God Most High ; 
But ye shall die like men, and &U 

As other princes die.' 

Rise God ; ^^ judge thou the earth * in might. 
This ' wicked' * earth redress,' 

Eagnadath-el, tBekerev. t Tlshphetu gnaveL Ughiptu-dal. 
5 Hatzdiku. T Jimmotu. *♦ Shiphta. 



$13 PSALMS. 

For thou art he who shalt by right 
The nations all possess. 



PSALM LXXXIII. 

Be not thou silent ' now at length,' 

O God ! hold not thy peace ; 
Sit thou not still O God of ' strength,' 

* We cry, and do not cease.' 

For lo ! thy ' furious' foes * now' ^ swell 

And ^ storm outrageously, 
And they that hate thee ' proud and fell' 

Exalt their heads full high. 

Against thy people they t contrive 

Their i plots and councils deep ; 
Them ^ to ensnare they chiefly strive, 

Whom 11 thou dost hide and keep. 

Come, let us cut them oflT, say they, 

Till they no nation be ; 
That Israel's name for ever may 

Be lost in memory. 

For they consult IT with all their might, 

And all, as one in mind 
Themselves against thee they unite. 

And in firm union bind ! 

The tents of Edom, and the brood 

Of ' scornful' Ishmael, 
Moab, with them of Hagar's blood, 

* That in the desert dwell ;' 

Gebal and Ammon * there conspire,' 
And ''hateful' Amalec, 

• JehemajuB. t Jagnarimu. t Sod. 

f ^hjagnatsu gnal. II T«ephuiieca. IT Lev J«ckdau. 



PSALMS. 219 

The Philistines and they of Tyre, 

* Whose bounds the sea doth check ;' 

With them ' great' Ashur also bands, 

'And doth confirm the knot ; 
*A11 these have lent their armed hands* 

To aid the sons of Lot. 

Do to them as to Midian ' bold,' 

* That wasted all the coast,' 
To Sisera ; and, as ' is lold,' 

*Thou didst' to Jabin's host.* 

/ When at the brook of Kishon * old,* 

* They were repuls'd and slain, 
At Endor quite cut off, and roll'd 

As dung upon the plain. 

As Zeb and Oreb, evil sped, 

So let their princes speed ; 
As Zeba, and Zalmunna ' bled,* 

So let their princes • bleed.' 

* For they amidst their pride' have said, 

By right now shall we seize 
God's houses, * and will now invade* 

Their * stately palaces. 

My God ! oh make them as a wheel, 

* No quiet let them find ;' 
Giddy and • restless,' let ' them reel' 

Like stubble from the wind. 

As * when' an ' aged' wood takes fire 

' Which on a sudden strays,' 
The 'greedy' flame runs higher and higher 

Till all the mountains blaze ; 

♦ Neoth Elohim bears both. 



220 PSALMS. 

So with thy whirlwind them pursue, 

And with thy tempest chase ; 
And, "^ till they ^ yield thee honour due, 

Lord ! fill with shame their face. 

Asham'd, and troubled let them be. 

Troubled, and sham'd for ever ; 
Ever confounded, and so die 

With shame, ' and scape it never. 

Then shall they know, that Thou, whose name 

Jehovah is alone, 
Art the Most High, ' and thou the same' 

O'er all the earth * art One !' 



PSALM LXXXIV. 

How lovely are thy dwellings fair ! 

O Lord of Hosts, how dear 
The ' pleasant' tabernacles are, 

* Where thou dost dwell so near !' 

My soul doth long and almost die 

Thy courts, O Lord, to see, 
My heart and flesh aloud do cry, 

O living God ! for thee. 

There e'en the sparrow ' freed from wrong,* 

Hath found a Jiouse of ' rest ;' 
The swallow there to lay her young 

Hath built her ' brooding' nest ; 

E'en by thy altars, Lord of Hosts, 

* They find their safe abode ;' 

'And home' they fly from round the coasts' 
Toward thee, * my King, my God ! 

♦ They ceek thy name. Heh. 



PSALMS. 281 

Happy, who in thy house reside, 

Where thee they ever praise ! 
Happy, whose strength in thee doth 'bide, 

And in their hearts thy ways ! 

They pass through Baca's * thirsty' vale, 

* That dry and barren ground;' 
As through a fruitful wat'ry dale 

Where springs and showers abound. 

They journey on from strength to strength 

* With joy and gladsome cheei; * 
'Till all before 'our' God 'at length 

In Sion do appear. 

Lord God of Hosts ! hear * now' my prayer, 

O Jacob's God give ear ; 
Thou God, our shield, look on the face 

Of thy anointed ' dear.' 

For one day in thy courts * to be* 

Is better, ' and more bless'd,' 
Than 'in the joys of vanity* 

A thousand days 'at best.* 

I in the temple of my God, 

Had rather keep a door, 
Than dwell in tents, * and rich abode,* 

With sin, * for evermore.* 

For God the Lord, both sun and shield, 

Gives grace and glory ' bright ;' 
No good from them shall be withheld 

Whose ways are just and right. 

Lord ' God' of Hosts ! that reign'st on high ;* 

That man is ' truly' bless'd. 
Who ' only on thee doth rely, 

And in thee only rest. 
T» 



2ii2 



PSALMS. 



PSALM LXXXV. 

Thy land to favour graciously 
Thou hast not, Lord, been slack ; 

Thou hast from * hard' captivity- 
Returned Jacob back. 

Th' iniquity thou didst forgive 

* That wrought' thy people wo ; 
And all their sin, * that did thee grieve,' 

Hast hid ' where none shall know.* 

Thine anger all thou hadst remov'd, 

And * calmly' didst return 
From thy ^ fierce wrath, which we had prov'-' 

Far worse than fire to burn. 

God of our saving health and peace ! 

Turn us, and us restore ; 
Thine indignation cause to cease 

Toward us, ' and chide no more.' 

Wilt thou be angry without end, 

For ever angry thus ? 
Wilt thou thy frowning ire extend 

From age to age on us ? 

Wilt thou not t turn, and * hear our voice ' 

And us again t revive. 
That so thy people may rejoice 

By thee preserv'd alive ? 

Cause us to see thy goodness. Lord, 

To us thy mercy show. 
Thy saving health to us afford, 

* And life in us renew.* 

♦ Heb. ' The burning heat of thy wrath,' 
t Heb. ' Turn to quicken us.' 



PSALMS. 223 

* And now,' what God the Lord will speak, 

I will ' go straight and' hear. 

For to his people he speaks peace, 

And to his saints ' full dear.' 

To his dear saints he will speak peace ; 

But let them never more 
Eeturn to folly, * but surcease' 

* To trespass as before.' 

Surely, to such as do him fear 

Salvation is at hand; 
And glory shall ' ere long appear,' 

* To' dwell within our land. 

Mercy and Truth * that long were miss'd, 
Now ' joyfully' are met ; 

* Sweet' Peace and Kighteousness have kiss' d, 

* And hand in hand are set.' 

Truth from the earth, * like to a flower,' 

Shall bud and blossom * then ;' 
And Justice, from her heavenly bower, 

Look down ' on mortal men.' 

The Lord will also then bestow 

Whatever thing is good ; 
Our land shall forth in plenty throw 

Her fruits ' to be our food.' 

Before him Righteousness shall go, 

* His royal harbinger ;' 

Then ^ will he come, and not be slow; 
His footsteps cannot err. 

♦ Heb. ' He will set his steps to the way.* 



2M 



PSALMS. 



PSALM LXXXVI. 



Thy 'gracious' ear,. O Lord! incline, 

hear me, * I thee pray ;' 
For I am poor, and almost pine 

With need, ' and sad decay.' 

Preserve my soul ; for I # have trod 

Thy ways, and love the just, 
Save thou thy servant, O my God ! 

Who ' still' in thee doth trust. 

Pity me, Lord, for daily thee 

1 call; O make rejoice 

Thy servant's soul ; for. Lord to thee 
I lift my soul ' and voice.' 

For thou art good, thou, Lord ! art prone 

To pardon, thou to all 
Art full of mercy, thou * alone' 

To them that on thee call. 

Unto my supplication, Lord, 

Give ear, and to the cry 
Of my ' incessant' prayers affoid 

Thy hearing graciously. 

I, in the day of my distress, 

Will call on thee * for aid ;' 
For thou wilt * grant' me * free access, 

* And answer * what I pray'd.' 

Like thee among the gods is none, 
O Lord ; nor any works 

* Of all that other gods have done' 

Like to thy * glorious' works. 

• Beb. • I am good, loving, a doer of good and holy thingi.* 



PSALMS. 

The Nations all whom thou hast made 
Shall come, ' and all shall frame 

To bow them low before thee, Lord, 
And glorify thy Name. 

For great thou art, and wonders great 
By thy strong hand are done ; 

Thou ' in thy everlasting seat,' 
Remainest God alone. 

Teach me, Lord, thy way * most right ;* 

I in thy truth will bide ; 
To fear thy name my heart unite, 

* So it shall never slide.' 

Thee will I praise, O Lord, my God ! 

' Thee honour and adore' 
With my whole heart, and blaze abroad 

Thy name for evermore. 

For great thy mercy is tow'rd me, 

And thou hast freed my soul. 
E'en from the lowest hell set free 

* From deepest darkness foul.' 

O God, the proud against me rise 

And violent men are met 
To seek my life, and in their eyes 

No fear of thee have set. 

But thou, Lord, art the God most mild, 

Readiest thy grace to show, 
Slow to be angry, and ' art styled,' 

Most merciful, most true. 

O, turn to me ' thy face at length,' 

And me have mercy on; 
Unto thy servant give thy strength/ 

And save thy handmaid's son. 



225 



226 PSALMS. 

Some sign of good to me afford, 

And let my foes ' then' see, 
And be asham'd ; because thou, Lord, 

Dost help and comfort me. 

PSALM LXXXVII. 

Among the holy mountains ' high' 

Is his foundation fast ; 
* There seated is his sanctuary,' 

*His temple there is plac'd.' 

Sion's 'fair' gates the Lord loves more 

Than all the dwellings ' fair' 
Of Jg-cob's * land, though there be store,* 

'And all within his care.' 

City of God, most glorious thing 

Of thee ' abroad' are spoke ; 
I mention Egypt ' where proud kings* 

' Did our forefathers yoke ;' 

I mention Babel to my friends, 

Philistia ' full of scorn ; 
And T^Te with Ethiops' ' utmost ends,' 

Lo, this man there was born : 

But ' twice that praise shall in our ear* 

Be said of Sion ' last ;' 
This, and this man was born in her ; 

High God shall fix her fast. 

The Lord shall write it in a scroll 
That ne'er shall be out-worn, 

When he the nations doth enrol, 
That this man there was born. 

Both they who sing, and they who dance. 
* With sacred songs are there,' 



PSALMS, 227 



In thee * fresh brooks, and soft streams glance, 
* And' all my fountains ' clear.' 



PSALM LXXXVIII. 

Lord God ! that dost me save ant' jep^ 

All day to thee I cry ; 
And all night long before thee ' '^"ep,* 

Before thee 'prostrate lie.' 

Into thy presence let my pray • 

* With sighs devout ascend ;' 

And to my cries, that, * ceaseless are,' 
Thine ear with favour bend. 

For cloy'd with woes and trouble sore, 
Surcharg'd my soul doth lie ; 

My life at ' Death's uncheerful door;' 
Unto the grave draws nigh. 

Reckon'd 1 am with them that pass 

Down to the ' dismal' pit ; 
I am a ^ man, but weak, alas ! 

And for that name unfit. 

From life discharg'd and parted quite 

Among the dead to * sleep;' 
And like the slain in ' bloody fight' 

That in the grave lie 'deep.' 

Whom thou rememberest no more, 

Dost never more regard, 
Them from thy hand deliver'd o'er 

* Death's hideous house hath barrTi.' 

Thou in the lowest pit ' profound,' 
Hast set me ' all forlorn,' 

♦ Heb. ' A man without manly strength.' 



228 PSALMS. 

Where thickest darkness * hovers round,' 
In horrid deeps ' to mourn.' 

Thy wrath, ' from which no shelter saves,* 

Full sore doth press on me ; 
Thou =^ break'st upon me all thy waves, 

And ^ all thy waves break me. 

Thou dost my friends from me estrange. 

And mak'st me odious, 
Me to them odious, ' for they change,' 

And I here pent up thus. 

Through sorrow, and affliction great. 
Mine eye grows dim and dead : 

Lord ! all the day I thee entreat 
My hands to thee I spread. 

Wilt thou do wonders on the dead ? 

Shall the deceas'd arise, 
And praise thee ' from their loathsome * bed' 

* With pale and hollow eyes V 

Shall they thy loving kindness tell 
On whom the grave * hath hold V 

Or they, who i perdition ' dwell,' 
Thy faithfuh.ess ' unfold V 

In darkness can thy mighty ' hand' 

* Or' wondrojs acts be known? 
Thy justice in the ' gloomy' land 

Of ' dark' oblivion. 

But I to thee, O Lord ! do cry, 

* Ere yet my life be spent ;' 

And ' up to the 3' my prayer doth * hie' 
Each morn, and thee prevent. 

♦ The Hebr. bears both. 



ySALMS. 229 



Why wilt thou, Lord, my soul forsake, 

And hide thy face from me, 
That am already bruis'd, and ^ shake 

With terror sent from thee ? 

Bruis'd and afflicted, and * so low' 

As ready to expire : 
While I thy terrors undergo 

Astonish'd with thine ire. 

Thy fierce wrath over me doth flow ; 

Thy threat'nings cut me through : 
All day they round about me go, 

Like waves they me pursue. 

Lover and friend thou hast remov'd, 

And sever'd from me far ; 
They ' fly me now,' whom I have lov'd, 

And as in darkness are, 



A Paraphrase on Psalm cxiv. 

This and the following Psalm were done by tho 
Author at fifteen years old. 

When the bless'd seed of Terah's faithful son, 
After long toil, their liberty had won ; 
And pass'd from Pharien fields to Canaan land, 
Led by the strength of the Almighty's hand ; 
Jeho-^ah's wonders were in Israel shown, 
His praise and glory was in Israel known : 
That saw the troubled sea, and shivering, fled. 
And sought to hide his froth-becurled head 
Low in the earth ; Jordan's clear streams recoil, 
As a faint host that hath receiv'd the foil. 
The high huge-bellied mountains skip, like rams 
Amongst their ewes ; the little hills, like lambs. 

♦Heb. Prae Concussione, 

u 



230 PSALMS. 

Why fled the ocean ? and why skipp'd the mountains? 
Why turn'd Jordan tow'rd his crystal fountains ? 
Shake, earth; and at the presence be aghast 
Of Him that ever was, and aye shall last ; 
That glassy floods from rugged rocks can crush, 
And make soft rills from fiery flint-stones gush. 



PSALM CXXXVI. 

Let us, with a gladsome mind, 
Praise the Lord, for he is kind ; 

For his mercies aye endure, 

Ever faithful, ever sure. 

'Let us blaze his name abroad. 
For of gods, he is the God. 
For his, &c. 

O, let us his praises tell, 
Who doth the wrathful tjrrants quell. 
For his, &c. 

Who, with his miracles, doth make 
Amazed heaven and earth to shake. 
For his, &c. 

Who, by his wisdom, did create 
The painted heavens so full of state. 
For his, &c. 

Who did the solid earth ordain 
To rise above the watery plain. 
For his, &c. 

Who, by his all-commanding might, 
Did fill the new-made world with light 
For his, &c. 



PSALMS 2Sl 

And caus'd the golden-tressed sun 
All the day long his course to run 
For his, &c. 

The horned moon to shine by night, 
Amongst her spangled sisters bright. 
For his, &c. 

He, with his thunder-clasping hand, 
Smote the first-born of Egypt land. 
For his, &c. 

And, in despite of Pharaoh fell, 
He brought from thence his Israel. 
For his, &c. 

The ruddy waves he cleft in twain 
Of the Erythrasan main. 
For his, &c. 

The floods stood still like walls of glass, 
While the Hebrew bands did pass. 
For his, &c. 

But full soon they did devour 
The tawny king with all his power. 
For his, &c. 

His chosen people he did bless, 
In the wasteful wilderness. 
For his, &c. 

In bloody battle he brought down 
Kings of prowess, and renown. 
For his, &c. 

He foil'd bold Seon and his host. 
That rul'd the Amorrean coast. 
For his, &c. 



2J2 



PSALMS. 



And large-limb'd Og he did subdue, 
With all his over-hardy crew. 
For his, &c. 

And to his servant -Israel, 
He gave their land therein to dwell. 
For his, &c. 

He hath, with a piteous eye 
Beheld us in our misery. 
For his, &c. 

And freed us from the slavery 
Of the invading enemy. 
For his, &c. 

All living creatures he doth feed. 
And with full hand supplies their need, 
For his, &c. 

Let us therefore warble forth 
His mighty majesty and worth. 
For his, &c. 

That his mansion hath on high 
A-bove the reach of mortal eye. 

For his mercies aye endure, 

Ever faithful, ever sure. 



THE END. 



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